Everest Ezeihe || Barely two years to another political dispensation, the people of Owerri senatorial zone in Imo State has re-strategized to ensure that only their own credible son or daughter will occupy the state Government House popularly called Douglas House as an Executive Governor.
Eminent sons and daughters of the senatorial zone made their intention known on Monday during the inaugural meeting and launching of Imo Equity Movement whose mission is to garnered massive support of the clamour for Imo Governor 2019 of Owerri Zone extraction hosted by Chief Uzoma Obiyo at his Nise Igiri Ike massive ancestral compound in Ikeduru Council Area of the State.
However, the mission is against the incumbent Governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha succession plans that abhor power zoning but anchored on blanket opportunity for the best aspirant within the three senatorial zone of Orlu, Okigwe, and Owerri.
While the members of the Equity Movement is hinging their interest on equity, fairness and social justice arguing that since the creation of the state in 1976 the citizens of Orlu senatorial zone have ruled the state for 16 years, Okigwe zone for 8 years while Owerri zone has only tested power for only one year and three months.
This they considered as gross injustice and marginalization and vowed to take their destiny into their hands in 2019 as a strategic measure to redress all injustice and marginalization.
Addressing political leaders from the zone, Chief Uzoma Obiyo described the forum as a political movement that has one agenda mission of ensuring that in 2019, an Imo son or daughter of Owerri senatorial zone extraction occupies the Government House.
Obiyor said that their mission is anchored under “Ofor na Ogu” (Equity, justice, and fairness) and that the movement will protect the interest of all the gubernatorial aspirants from Owerri Senatorial zone so as to checkmate Governorship impostors on a mission to destabilize the movement and It’s political activities.
He also revealed efforts being made by the movement to organize a world conference that will discuss the state charter of equity.
In his reaction, Hon. Uche Onyegocha advised all the political parties in Imo State to field only Owerri Zone people as their gubernatorial candidates noting that any political party who decides otherwise will be vehemently rejected by the people.
Onyeagocha recalled that the last time an indigene of Owerri senatorial zone was made Governor of the state was 25 years and that was Late Senator Evan(s) Enwerem and he ruled for only 15 months as army toppled their government.
According to him “every ward in Owerri senatorial zone has the ample opportunity to produce a credible Governorship candidate on merit, therefore, any political party including APC where I belong that did not accord Owerri senatorial zone their gubernatorial ticket will be rejected by the people. We must forget the past and move forward, this message must go viral” he assured.
But for Mrs. Cheryn Amaonu, the National Secretary of National Council of Women Society (NCWS) assured to galvanized the women folks towards accepting the movement political mission with the aim of no retreat no surrender until their one point agenda is achieved.
While Chief Vitalis Orikeze Ajumbe, advised the people to be firm in their mission and vowed not to go back as the battle has just begun.
Ajumbe passionately advised on the need to use negotiation strategy with the other two senatorial zones, so as to achieve the movement mission of selecting and presenting an acceptable candidate with personality profile, integrity, and credibility.
High chief Achonwa Njemanze (Oyiga) insisted that it is a sacred duty of the people of Owerri Zone to determine who will govern them and cautioned against surrogate.