By CHARLES IWUOHA

Political leaders in Owerri geopolitical zone of Imo State have been called upon to allow Okigwe zone through former Governor Ikedi Ohakim to complete their remaining tenure in 2028.

They also been tasked to allow the political wounds of 2011, which they, in cohort with some anti-democracy forces, allegedly inflicted on Okigwe zone, to heal.

A chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and former National Organising Secretary of the party, Chief Emmanuel Ibediro, made the calls during an interactive session with journalists on Friday in Owerri, the state capital.

He expressed regret that Owerri zone has always disrupted cordial power rotation and equity in Imo State, stating that if Owerri zone had not connived with former Governor Rochas Okorocha, “who fooled the people with a promise of one term in 2011, transition of power in the state would have been seamless.”

According to Ibediro, the hatred against Okigwe zone and Ohakim dates back to 2007 when Chief Martin Agbaso lost to Ohakim. Since then, “the resistance and resentment against Okigwe zone and Ohakim from political leaders in Owerri geopolitical zone has remained unabated,” Ibediro claimed.

This, he said, “culminated in the unprecedented conspiracy that hounded Ohakim out of Office in 2011.”

“Then came 2011, and the most intriguing and dumpfounding conspiracy surfaced. This took the form of a well contrived, well enabled,and disseminated false accusation that Ohakim flogged a Catholic Reverend Father, Eustace Okere.

“The Catholic Church headed by an Owerri man, and their allies escalated it.Religious songs were composed against Ohakim and Okigwe zone. The same forces of resentment from Owerri zone fighting Ohakim since 2007 blindly fell for Okorocha’s one term trick and opted for Deputy Governorship position as compensation in-waiting.

“But that proved to be a terrible miscalculation as Okorocha ended up spending eight years to their hapless disappointment contrary to his promise to them.”

Ibediro contended that “the hounding of Okigwe zone person (Ohakim) out of Office occasioned the disruption of governorship rotational pattern in Imo and began the distortion of the existing Charter of Equity.”

The legal practitioner and politician asserted that bringing back Ohakim to finish Okigwe zone’s remaining term “would be a panacea to constant governorship position contestations amongst zones in the State.”

He averred that Ohakim is the only person both in Okigwe and Owerri zones who is constitutionally limited to one tenure, after which it reverts to Owerri zone hitch-free.

“Owerri zone can heal Okigwe zone’s hurt by agreeing and allowing it to complete its turn through Ikedi Ohakim and thereafter, take their full eight years tenure,” he opined.

Ibediro, however, explained that Okigwe and Owerri zones alliance cannot prevent Orlu zone from contesting if it wishes. He, nevertheless, expressed optimism that under the leadership of Governor Hope Uzodinma, Orlu zone would endorse any alliance between Okigwe and Owerri zones in the overall interest of Imo State.

The former Commissioner for Local and Chieftaincy Affairs in Imo State further noted that: “Ohakim’s candidacy is expediency at this time. Firstly, he is a committed follower and supporter of His Excellency, Governor Hope Uzodimma.

“He has the capacity, necessary exposure, and expertise to continue the legacy and developmental strides of the present government in our state. He will be saleable and a uniting factor because he has friends and massive supporters across all divides and zones in Imo State. Besides, it is on record that governors who made a comeback have proved to make excellent governors in their second coming. In short, Dr Ikedi Ohakim should be considered as the consensus equity candidate for 2027 Imo governorship election.”

Ibediro reiterated his appeal to political leaders in Owerri geopolitical zone to appreciate Okigwe zone’s pains, noting that “our agitation is a healthy agitation and will eventually lead to a united Imo State.

“We are not quarrelling with our brothers from Owerri zone. However, the irrevocable truth remains that Owerri zone will not be able to assuage the hurt Okigwe zone harbours on the outcome of the 2011 disruption of their tenure without conceding some form of placating in 2027.”