Some stakeholders, analysts and various groups at the weekend, expressed divergent views on the civic reception held for Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma by some political leaders in Owerri zone.
Elder statesman, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyawu, who spoke at the event,had assured Governor Uzodinma that Owerri zone will vote for him in 2023.
Reacting to the development, a group, Owerri Wu Otu, said there is nothing wrong with the expressions made by Chief Iwuanyanwu at the event.
President of the group, Ernest Onukwugha told INNONEWS that though “Chief Iwuanyanwu’s views came with mixed feelings considering the loss of Imo governorship seat held by an Owerri zone son. He indirectly sent a clear message that after Uzodinmma’s tenure, Owerri zone is next in line to take over power in the state.
“We have noted that the Imo Charter of Equity has been abandoned, Governor Hope Uzodinmma should reciprocate the grand reception held for him by the good people of Owerri zone by handing over governance to Owerri zone in 2023.
“Owerri zone has continued to suffer neglect when it comes to governance of the state, but we believe that having extended a hand of friendship to the governor being the first zone out of the three geo political zones to host him, Owerri zone will be next in line to produce the next governor of the State.
A leader in the zone, Chief Celestine Amadi, who spoke on the reception organized for the governor by the people of Owerri zone said “the problem with Owerri zone is that they are sharply polarized”
“Most of the political stakeholders in Owerri zone are leaning strongly on the two political parties- the PDP and the APC. This makes it difficult for the zone to take a firm position on issues concerning political power and its political future. The politicians in the zone most times influence the views of socio political organizations operating in the area.
“In the past, we had leaders of Owerri zone who were apolitical, free from the political maneuvering of politicians and they were able to define the political direction of the zone. It is no longer so and sadly, this is affecting Owerri zone.
He continued “the reception for the governor satisfies the quest of those who are close to him in the APC, and if the reception will increase the chances of the zone in recapturing power in 2023 which it lost in 2020, then the organizers deserve temporary kudos. But they should not be fooled by this cheap assumption because in politics, nothing is certain and power is not given but taken
But Olu Owerri, a socio political organization, in a statement by its President, Martin Opara, faulted the reception, and picked holes in the statement made by Chief Iwuanyanwu that Owerri zone will vote for Uzodimma in 2023
Olu Owerri said the elder statesman lacked the locus and powers to speak for the people of Owerri zone, stating that “Owerri people in various political parties are united in their resolve to pursue the governorship seat in 2023, to address the injustice that has befallen the senatorial zone in the last twenty one years”
INNONEWS
