■Insists equity, justice favour Okigwe zone

Again, political leaders in Owerri geopolitical zone of Imo State have been told to forget about contestation for the 2027 governorship election because “the zone at the moment, is fragmented and not technically ready for such a political journey.” They were rather asked to put their house in order if the zone is desirous of getting right its political trajectory in the State. They must also do away “with unending disunity, lack of organisational cohesion and absence of defined leadership that is assertive.”
Chief Osmond Ukanacho, who is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Osmond Imo Ukanacho Foundation and other business conglomerates in Nigeria, made these assertions during a media chat in Owerri. Ukanacho hails from Atta in Ikeduru local government area of Imo State.
The governorship candidate of United Peoples Party (UPP) in the 2015 governorship election in Imo, berated political leaders in Owerri geopolitical zone for pursuing individualistic political agenda to the detriment of the zone’s collective interests,noting that their inability to unite and have a leader who would be a rallying point for the zone will continue to impede the zone’s advancement in Imo politics for many years to come unless they amend their attitudes in their quest for power. “Let me tell you, power is never dashed because of noise making. Every election year, we, in Owerri zone, will produce multiple candidates. Every hamlet in our zone wants the governor to come from their abode. Everybody is his own ‘General’ – nobody wants to think of the zone’s collective interests first. It is about themselves, yet they pretend to be fighting for Owerri zone. How can we get Imo governorship even in 30 years from such a self- centred approach? There is too much pretence amongst us in Owerri zone. The incumbent governor,Senator Hope Uzodinma knows this, and Imo people are aware of it,too,” Ukanacho said.
BOB NJEMANZE’S PROPOSITION
He made it clear that the easiest way to maintain political stability in Imo State, is to consider and adopt Prince Bob Njemanze’s proposal that Okigwe geopolitical zone be allowed to complete their one remaining governorship tenure by 2027. According to him, if equity, fairness, good conscience, and natural justice are to be the criteria for assessing which zone should take a shot at Imo governorship in 2027, the odds favour Okigwe zone.
“In 2011,We, in Owerri zone – especially our brothers from Owerri North Local Government Area, assisted in truncating equity and rotational governance in Imo State by aligning with former Governor Rochas Okorocha. Many of us worked against good conscience in preference for personal gains using Owerri zone as a decoy. At the moment, Okigwe zone appears more organised than us and we need to appease them for the injustice we orchestrated against them in 2011,” he posited.

THE TRENDING EMEKUKU/CABAL ISSUE
On the trending issue of the alleged menace of a group known as Emekuku/Egbu cabal in Owerri zone politics,Ukanacho advised such a group to have a rethink. ” If truth be told, the major problem we have in Owerri zone is the so-called Emekuku/Egbu cabal in Owerri North LGA,that is, if I understand you. Every election year, they alone produce six or more candidates for governorship. They find it very difficult to shift grounds. But we must call a spade a spade . The Emekuku/Egbu axis giving us headache in Owerri zone should be made to understand that no local government area in Owerri geopolitical zone is inferior to one another. In Mbaike where I come from(Mbaitoli and Ikeduru),we hold the ace politically in Owerri zone. Without us, it would be difficult for anyone to win even Owerri Senatorial election. I would,therefore, advise that rather than this cabalist attitude in Owerri zone,let us come together if we want to achieve anything meaningful in politics in the State,” he averred.

SOLUTION TO IMO GUBER QUAGMIRE
Clarifying his position on the 2027 Imo governorship claims between Okigwe and Owerri zones, Ukanacho further stated that though his position may seem a bitter pill to swallow to Owerri zone governorship agitators, he remains unwavering in saying the truth. “My position is clear. Owerri zone should understand that he,who goes to equity, must go with clean hands. Since we contributed immensely in the truncation of Okigwe zone’s second tenure in 2011,we must compensate them by 2027. We betrayed Okigwe zone, and that incident is still haunting Owerri zone and will continue until we correct the wrong we did to Okigwe zone – that is fairness, equity, good conscience,and natural justice. Check out the list of all those who planned the unjustified onslaught against Ikedi Ohakim and Okigwe zone in 2011,80% of them came from Owerri zone. We should appease Okigwe zone first,” he insisted.
Ukanacho, however, explained that Owerri zone will not accept anybody from Okigwe zone who will stay beyond one more term in Office. That will be unfair to us,he said,adding that the emphasis for now should be on correcting the imbalance in rotational governance in Imo disrupted in 2011. “Prince Bob Njemanze’s suggestion becomes apt in the circumstance. Let Okigwe zone through former Governor Ikedi Ohakim complete their remaining one tenure by 2027. Ohakim, as Njemanze rightly pointed out, constitutionally, cannot stay more than four years in Office and Owerri zone will naturally take over. I agree with that wisdom. Ohakim has the capacity, is tested with proven leadership qualities and integrity and will definitely ensure continuity in governance. Another fresh Okigwe zone person is mostly likely to opt for another four years after his first tenure no matter any agreement you might have had with him abinitio. Power intoxicates, especially the greedy politicians. During that Ohakim’s remaining four years, all the three zones – Orlu, Okigwe and Owerri – would have incontestably come to the realization that after Ohakim’s tenure, it will seamlessly move to Owerri zone. Devoid of zonal sentiments, Ohakim is the panacea to all these agitations,” he stressed.

THE ORLU ZONE FACTOR IN 2027
Ukanacho cautioned that Owerri zone should avoid the pitfall of playing into the hands of Orlu zone again and turn around and start lamenting thereafter as they with Okorocha after facilitating his installation asgovernor, adding that “by now, they should have learnt their lessons from the outcome of their unholy romance with Okorocha.”
“I forsee Orlu zone snatching the governorship seat in 2027 if Owerri zone does not align with Okigwe zone ahead of 2027. It is because of the attitude and disagreements in Owerri zone that has enabled Orlu’s dominance in Imo politics. My point is – if Owerri zone insists on contesting the 2027 governorship, and Okigwe zone, in anger, opts to support Orlu zone (which is possible),it will all over for Owerri zone not just for 2027, but for many more years to come. Orlu zone’s 12 LGAs plus Okigwe zone’s 6 LGAs = 18 LGAS. Technically, this meets the constitutional requirement for declaration of a governorship election winner – and boom,Orlu zone zooms off with the Barton again,” he warned.
He reiterated the need for political leaders in Owerri zone to be circumspect and guide their followers aright. ” With just nine local government areas, we can never win any governorship election – be it party primaries or the main election – against a formidable joint opposition from Orlu and Okigwe zones. Besides, Owerri zone appears more desperate than Okigwe zone who are the real victims, but are yet more organised and focused in their aspiration.Wisdom,it is said, is too profitable to direct,” he asserted.
According to him, any house divided against itself like Owerri zone can not stand. “If by this time, political leaders in Owerri geopolitical zone do not yet understand the dynamics of Imo politics, it is very unfortunate. Our surest way is to negotiate with Okigwe zone and allow Ikedi Ohakim to complete his remaining one tenure which Owerri zone joined in subverting in 2011. Only negotiation can give us what we need, at least by 2031,” he reiterated