In 1999, when democracy resurfaced in Nigeria, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo state held its Governorship election primary. Here, Orlu and Okigwe zones were far from victory.
That primary election was won by a gentleman and great son of Owerri zone, Chief Humphrey Anumudu. But in the spirit of love, peace and unity, leaders from Owerri zone persuaded and prevailed on their son, Anumudu to relinquish the ticket to Achike Udenwa, an Orlu man that came third in the election.
Having succeeded in relinquishing the ticket to Orlu zone, Ndi-Owerri zone became so open minded to join hands with their brothers in Orlu and Okigwe zones to develop the state. Little wonder that their determination to make Imo state more habitable for development was turned into a business scene by their counterparts.
While Ndi-Owerri zone were influenced by unity of purpose following the resolved and unanimous acceptance of the “Imo Charter of Equity” by the three zones, Orlu and Okigwe zones were having nocturnal meetings to outsmart and destroy Owerri zone.
The secret meeting between Orlu and Okigwe zones were executed in 2007 when the overwhelming victory of an Owerri Zone man, Chief Martin Agbaso was utterly truncated.
How Orlu and Okigwe zones truncated the victory? Achike Udenwa, the then Governor of the State hails from Orlu zone, the INEC Chairman, Prof Maurice Iwu is from Okigwe zone while the beneficiary of that rape, Ikedi Ohakim is also an Isiala Mbano, Okigwe Zone guy.
This 2007 hatched job against Ndi-Owerri is what the zone is still suffering today. Despite open humiliation, and betrayal of trust, especially, Orlu zone has continued to destroy the chances of Ndi-Owerri zone to have a slot in the Imo Governorship seat.
Information has it that Orlu and Okigwe zones are angry that the state capital is cited in Owerri zone. The same grudge by Orlu and Okigwe zones queried why the Owerri zone that has the capital city will still win the Governorship seat.
No wonder the two zones teamed up together and annulled an election already won by an Owerri Zone man, Martin Agbaso In 2007 just because, they needed one of their sons to be there. The same plot was hatched and executed on January 14th, 2020 when the two zones connived together and toppled the victory of Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha, another Owerri Zone man.
This is not only a height of wickedness, greed and selfishness, but an obvious way of paying Ndi-Owerri zone back for relinquishing the opportunity they grabbed just for the sake of peace, unity and cooperation of all and sundry.
As Christians, we are expected to reciprocate the good things our neighbours have done for us. The appreciation may come in different ways. But the pertinent questions begging for answer are; what has Orlu zone done to reciprocate the goodwill from Owerri zone? Why will Orlu zone continue to fight the chances of Owerri zone to occupy Douglas House after the Zone has benefited 20 years out of the 24 years from 1999?
This unjust treatment meted at Owerri zone by Ndi-Orlu and their Okigwe zone counterparts has created a deep cut that may take time to heal in the lives of any average Owerri zone person.
However, in all these unprovoked and unjust maltreatment, harassment and humiliation, the people of Owerri zone are still amenable, and open to genuine reconciliation with their brothers and sisters from Orlu and Okigwe zones whenever such opportunity comes.
Today, our children are asking us the offense Ndi-Owerri zone have committed to deserve what they are facing in the hands of their sister zones. Our friends from Orlu and Okigwe zones are presently seeing Ndi-Owerri zone as conquered entity! What did we do? Because, we gave Ndi-Orlu zone an opportunity to govern the state and revert back, but alas, they have taken what belongs to all of us and in return, spitted at us for no just cause!
Where is God that hears the cry and prayers of the weak and the downtrodden, we are eagerly and earnestly waiting on him to give Ndi-Owerri Zone their own share!
———-Ozoemena, Esq is a Constitutional Lawyer, writes from Akpodim, Ezinihitte Mbaise LGA, Imo State
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