By Favour Afunanya
A sociopolitical group, Owerri People's Front, OPF, has insisted that it is the turn of Owerri Zone to produce the next governor of Imo State come November 11th governorship election in the state.
OPF, committed to advancing the general interests of Owerri Zone people, described the proposed 'Charter of Equity' in the state as a delibrate ploy to continually marginalised cum politically enslave the zone by the propagators.
The OPF Convener, Hon. Ebere Chukwuemeka popularly known as ABJ stated this while briefing newsmen in Owerri, yesterday.
He said, "OPF will no longer sit back and watch the Zone being shortchanged again in political leadership of the state".
ABJ called on all the people of the zone and Imolites in general jettison the said Charter of Equity and do the right thing by supporting candidates from Owerri zone.
According to him, "since the return of democracy in Nigeria in 1999, Owerri Zone has only occupied the governorship seat of Imo State for seven months, while other zones, Orlu and Okigwe zones, have produced three governors for the state."
He said, "OPF insist that the original Imo Charter of Equity should be reactivated. That Charter of Equity was truncated in 2019, when a son of Owerri Zone, Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha, was removed from office by the Supreme Court judgment.
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"Since Ihedioha from Owerri Zone did not complete a first term, Owerri Zone should be allowed to produce the next governor of the State in 2023. This will ensure balance, equity, and fairness in the Imo Charter of Equity."
"The emergence of an Owerri zone governor in 2023 would truly show the seriousness of the Imo Charter of Equity."
"We call on governorship candidates from Orlu and Okigwe zones to withdraw from the contest and support their counterparts from Owerri zone in the forthcoming governorship election in the state.
"OPF, as part of its commitment to ensuring that the best from Owerri Zone emerge as the governor of the state, would conduct an Opinion Poll on all the governorship candidates from Owerri Zone.
"The Opinion Poll would determine or reveal who, among all the candidates in Owerri Zone, is most acceptable to the people of the zone and Imo State. We want to assure that the Opinion Poll will be open and transparent.
"OPF calls on the Clergy, Freedom fighters, traditional rulers, socio cultural organizations, President Generals of communities in Owerri Zone, to support an Owerri zone governor of Imo State extraction on November 11, 2023.
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He continued, "we also call on sons and daughters of Owerri zone, who are not part of the Owerri zone for Imo governor agenda, to desist from supporting other candidates from other zones and join the quest for Owerri zone to produce the next governor of the State.
"That in line with the authentic Charter of Equity, Okigwe zone should take over after Owerri zone have completed it's tenure".
Reacting to the recent attack and killing of security operatives in Ehime Mbano council of the state, OPF condemned the act and urged the perpetrators of such act to desist from it.
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