Politicians from the Okigwe Zone of Imo State have called on their peers from the Owerri zone to support their candidacy for the governorship of the state in the 2027 election.
They made the demand during a meeting held at the residence of His Royal Majesty Eze Oliver Ohanweh at Isiala Mbano LGA, which had in attendance former governor of the state, Ikedi Ohakim, Senator Patrick Ndubueze, who is currently representing the zone in the Senate and other political stakeholders.
During the meeting, they declared that equity and fairness demand that the Okigwe Zone produce the next governor of the State come 2027, maintaining that their tenure was truncated with the emergence of Rochas Okorocha from the Orlu Zone which had already served eight years tenure under the administration of Achike Udenwa.
Addressing the gathering, the chief host, Eze Ohanweh, thanked the people of the zone for the massive support given to Governor Hope Uzodinma during the just concluded governorship election in the state maintaining that the zone produced the largest number of votes for the governor after Orlu.
He remarked that the gathering became necessary following the recent development as regards to communique and comments by some groups and individuals from other zones which he said tended to suggest that Okigwe Zone was no longer relevant in the political reality of the state.
The royal father expressed optimism that the outcome of the meeting would address issues of concern to Okigwe Zone, as well as place the zone on an equal pedestal with other zones.
In his speech, one of the big wigs of Imo politics, Chief Tony Chukwu, harped on the importance of a governor of a state as he reminded the zone that the present Governor Uzodinma remained the gateway through which the zone’s ambition to occupy the number one seat of the state can be actualised.
He cautioned that the zone should avoid internal rancour and form a common front towards actualising its aims.
Also speaking, Senator Patrick Ndubueze appealed to all well-meaning indigenes of Okigwe Zone to throw their weight behind the quest for an Imo governor of Okigwe extraction in 2027.
The highlight of the gathering was the official adoption and presentation of the zone’s position paper on the Imo State Charter Of Equity to the Okigwe Global Elders Forum, led by members of Okigwe Global League, including Chief Longers Anyanwu, and Chief Emma Ibediro.
Imo: Okigwe zone stakes claim on governorship ahead 2027 election