The debate over whether zone—Owerri or Okigwe—will produce Imo State’s next governor after Orlu Zone has taken a new turn since the emergence of the Owerri Zone Peoples Mandate (OWZOPEM) political organisation over the weekend.

Prof. Vitalis Orikeze Ajumbe, Capt. David Mbamara (who is now designated as the organisation’s Chairman), and Chief Mike Nwachukwu (who is designated as the group’s Chairman of the Strategic Committee) are the leaders of the new group.

In a statement released following their inaugural gathering on Saturday, June 29, in Owerri, the group decided to form a formidable committee entrusted with engaging with the Okigwe Zone via the Okigwe Global Elders Forum and the Orlu Zone via the Orlu Political Consultative Assembly (OPOCA). They said that avoiding a conflict of interest in their different pursuits of producing the future governor of the state is the main reason for contacting Okigwe.

The communiqué went on to say that the group will write to the Ohaji/Egbema people about their choice to stay in Imo State in the wake of the Orlu State agitation. Additionally, they praised Governor Hope Uzodinma for his excellent job in the state and his backing of Owerri Zone to produce the state’s future governor.

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The meeting’s goals and objectives were outlined in a press release sent to media. Among them was a resolution to get in touch as soon as possible with Okigwe Zone advocates, especially the Okigwe Global Elders Forum, which is chaired by HRH Eze Oliver Ohanweh, in order to work towards a mutual understanding and prevent the two zones’ competing interests in their efforts to produce the state’s next governor.

Speaking before the assembly, the new group’s chairman, Capt. Mbamara, said that since the start of the current democratic regime in 1999, no zone in Nigeria has experienced the same struggles as Owerri Zone with regard to receiving a fair portion of the governorship position.

He took the audience on a trip down memory lane, telling them that no one from the Owerri Zone has held the substantive position of governorship seat since Imo State was established in 1976, when he was still in elementary school. Instead, the zone has always been provided as a lamb sacrifice for other zones hoping to become governors.

He claimed that the events of 1999 still transpire every election year, leaving Owerri Zone in a deplorable situation. He insisted that in order for the zone to fulfil its goal of delivering the state’s governor, it must unite this time.

During his remarks, Prof. Ajumbe said that the group is still in its early stages and that it is willing to consider any suggestions that could help the zone make the right decision this time.

According to him, Owerri Zone cannot win the governorship seat on its own; instead, it must seek the assistance of other zones and work to avoid taking any acts that might endanger the zone’s political destiny.

A large number of political stakeholders from throughout the zone attended the gathering.