From Everest Ezihe, Owerri
Ahead of 2027 governorship election in Imo State and the need to curtail the dominance of people from Orlu senatorial zone in occupying the State’s power House ,Capt. David Chukwuemeka Mbamara, (Rtd) has thrown his weight in canvassing on the need for the political leaders of Owerri and Okigwe senatorial zones to work in collaborative synergy as a strategic measure of ensuring that power is retained by any of the zone’s except Orlu.
Mbamara who holds the traditional title as Ochiagha (warlord) Ihodimeze ancient kingdom in Ikeduru LGA of Imo State disclosed this on Wednesday while having a break fast interactive meeting with cross section of Imo State based Journalists in his multi million Naira clean, spacious and beautiful ancestral compound.
The retired senior military officer of Nigerian Army with Directorate of Military Intelligence,DMI said it point blank on the issue of inisuniations from some political quarters that he is running for Governor of Imo State come 2027, he said “No ! No !! No !!! Am not running.
He however put a proviso that, if the political leaders compelled him, based on his historical pedigree and antecedents, that he may not resist the opportunity to offer visionary governance and purposeful leadership of his age long dream, desire and ambition.
According to him, “you see, outside being a Political Scientist, am a Political Historian. The issue of who becomes the Governor of Imo State has always been an issue that borders on conspiracies by the critical stakeholders. I have tried it twice and I know what am saying. Infact am not running, unless if the stakeholders of the State, deems it fit, for me to answer the clarion call, why not ? If not ?.
“It then becomes obvious and imperative, that my people dearly needs my selfless services again, probably based on God’s grace, my overwhelming pedigree and antecedents. Certainly, I will not disappoint” he assured.
Mbamara who’s also the incumbent Chairman of Owerri Zone People’s Mandate, OWZOPEM reaffirmed that his organization stands on the political rumbling of strict adherence to the State Charter of Equity.
He reiterated that OWZOPEM is committed to Owerri zone’s son or daughter becoming the successor of Governor Hope Uzodimma in 2027 as equity, fairness and the doctrine of natural justice demands using Igbo adage that says, eme nwata ka emere ibe ya, ogbu alaa.
The former Commandant Imo State Orientation Agency, ISOA as well as the former Director of Procurement, Imo State Transport Corporation, ITC, also dived into the State”s historical perspectives under full fledged democratic dispensation and setup, to justify that it’s truly the turn of Owerri Senatorial Zone of Imo State to produce Governor Uzodimma’s successor in 2027.
The astute politician and philanthropist recalled that late Senator Evan Enwerem (Mature) of Owerri zone was Governor of the State for only 15 months and the military struck, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha equally of Owerri Senatorial Zone ruled the State for just 7 months as Supreme Court removed him.
Mbamara passionately appealed to political leaders of Orlu Senatorial Zone to remember how Owerri Senatorial Zone in 1999 sacrificed their hard won mandate at the altar of equity and fairness, just for Senatorial balanced of power, so that power should be shifted to the people of Orlu Senatorial Zone.
He pointed out, that then, late Chief I.D Nwoga, a distinguished son of Owerri Senatorial Zone was the State Chairman of People’s Democratic Party, PDP and was supported by late Senator Emeka Echeruo, also a highly respected son of Okigwe Senatorial Zone.
“Just for the pursuance of unity of purpose and good brotherhood these patriots refused to go Zonal or sub-zonal and backed Chief Achike Udenwa of Orlu Senatorial Zone to be two tenure Governor of Imo State, 1999-2007 even when he did not win his first tenure PDP primary election.
“It’s a historical truth, that late Chief Humphrey Anumodu, overwhelming won the primary. Since then, an Orlu son, Owelle Rochas Okorocha has again ruled the State for 8 years and another Orlu son, Senator Hope Uzodimma have ruled the State for more than 5 years now and his tenure is going to end on January 14th 2028, completing his tenure for 8 years.
“The political and arithmetical implication is that between 1999-2028, indigenes of Orlu Senatorial Zone have ruled the State for 24 years out of 29 years. It’s then obvious and proper that our wish and fervent prayers as people of Owerri Senatorial Zone for Governor Hope Uzodimma to think back and reflect on the roles, the political leaders of Owerri and Okigwe senatorial zones played to ensure that Orlu men be Governor of the State in 1999, 2011 and 2020. The senatorial origin of his successor should simply be a pay back.
“It’s on these premises, good conscience and natural justice among others, that Governor Uzodimma should definitely hold tenaciously, and tight, in implementation of the Imo State Charter of Equity in 2027, any thing short of this, will be an injustice before God and man, and may certainly led to political instability in the State.
” Certainly, 2027 is the destiney time, Imo people should come together and wipe out the tears of Nde Owerre zone. The people of Owerri did not commit any offense to have backed Chief Achike Udenwa in 1999 to be the Governor of the State, neither did Owerri people committed any crime to accommodate people of diverse interest to be hibernating in the State.
” For the umpteenth time, Owerri people is looking unto Governor Uzodimma to do the needful of handing power over to a person of Owerri zone extraction as obviously justified by equity, fairness and natural justice” the two time governorship aspirant passionately advised.
Mbamara who’s also a Political Scientist by training and the only security professional in Imo State politics further commended Imo State Government and security agencies in the State for stability and an improved security of lives and properties in the State.
” Basically, I live in Lagos and do most of my businesses there, last Christmas season as I came home, I was impressed with the extent of security stability in the State and this made me to visit the State Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma as a point of contact and appreciated him for the wonderful work him and his men, together with other security agencies are doing in the State.
“It’s on record that all through last year till date, there has not been serious security challenges in the State except picketing of security threats in few communities in Orlu and Okigwe senatorial zones.
“However, it’s my sincere wish to talk to Ndi Imo especially those living outside the State and are still afraid of insecurities to start looking back home because the devil is not so black as he is being painted.
“Sincerely speaking, my stay in Imo now have really opened my eyes. Imo people should know one obvious truth, that as they are running away, most of their lands are being bought by non Imolites. Am honestly advising them to stop running away, they should start coming home and look inwards before it’s too late.
“The gospel truth, is that, the issue of insecurities in the State are mere blackmail, propaganda and falsehood from the pits of hell. It’s mere individuals illusion that have nothing to do with the realities on the ground. Am talking from my house, please the time has come for you people to start coming home because the majority of the State is quite peaceful and stable” he stated.
The security czar further applauded Governor Hope Uzodimma for building good networks of roads which he said “have become a revolutionary tonic towards the State,s transformational improvements in socioeconomic activities”.
