Re: Egbu Declaration: Desperation Pushing Ihedioha Against The Collective Interest And Aspirations Of Owerri Zone – Group

ORLU POLITICAL CONSULTATIVE ASSEMBLY (OPOCA).

PRESS STATEMENT.

RE: EGBU DECLARATION: DESPERATION PUSHING IHEDIOHA AGAINST THE COLLECTIVE INTEREST AND ASPIRATIONS OF OWERRI ZONE

After a critical review of all that transpired at a recent event christened “Egbu Declaration”, the Orlu Political Consultative Assembly (OPOCA), the body that speaks, protects and defend Orlu political interest, hereby makes the following declarations;

1. That the so-called “Egbu Declaration” is an ill-conceived political event which contrary to expectations never projected the collective and political interest of Owerri zone and her people. It is rather a one-man political exhibition which largely explains the reason why notable leaders from the zone conspicously stayed away.
2. The so-called “Egbu Declaration” is an ill-timed governorship declaration rally of Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha who again is manipulating the collective sensibilities of the leaders and people of Owerri zone to yet again run for the Governorship of Imo State in 2023/24 against the collective aspiration and interests of Owerri Zone, and if not checked and called to order, will again injure their legitimate interest come 2028.

The said event was not organised by leaders and people of Owerri zone as falsely claimed but Ihedioha’s campaign council masquerading as Owerri zone for the purpose of relaunching his ill-fated governorship aspiration.

3. Chief Ihedioha and his campaign council unfortunately failed to realize that leaders and good people of Owerri zone have visionarily and politically seen reasons of aligning with the Shared Prosperity Government of Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma thus positioning the zone ahead of 2028 for major and rewarding political considerations.

Worthy to mention is that these foresighted leaders of Owerri zone are currently working closely with our Governor, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma to stabilize the polity and restore equitable rotation of power that was disrupted in 2011.

4. It is also important to recall that no Zone has the monopoly for succession as the Governorship of Imo since 1999 has been competitive and contestable by candidates from the Orlu, Owerri and Okigwe zones.

It is on this note that honestly and sincerely too, advice our brothers and sisters from Owerri zone and by extension, Okigwe zone to completely shun all forms of divisiveness and eschew the mentality of “if not me, Imo will be ungovernable” and rally round our Shared Prosperity Governor, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma to ensure a highly successful first and second term if he choses to activate his constitutionally provided right to seek for second term in office.

Succession with regards to the Zone that will be favoured is always a political issue, best handled and decided by the exiting incumbent and not otherwise. Experience is the best teacher; do not say we didn’t forwarn ahead of time.

5. We commend highly the leaders from Owerri zone who decoded the underlying political antics and cleverly shuned this one-man staged “Egbu Declaration”, and therefore enjoin them to continue supporting our dear Governor, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma in his unrelented effort to reposition Imo in terms development and good governance.

Our dear governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma deserves the total support of Ndi Imo both home and in Diaspora considering his statesmanship disposition as a detribalized and visionary leader who takes the entire Imo as his constituency.

Working closely and sincerely with him and the 3R Government is a better political strategy against any form of alignment with an individual whose desperation to become a governor will never protect the collective interest and aspirations of Owerri zone and her people.

6. We also on the other hand commend the leaders and people of Okigwe zone for their unwavering support to the Government of Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma. We are very optimistic that our dear governor will definitely bequeath a prosperous and infrastructurally developed Imo before exiting in 2028 by the Special Grace of God Almighty.
7. Lastly, we commend the leadership and members of our allied groups from Owerri and Okigwe zones, namely Owerri Zone Political Forum (OZOPOLF) and Okigwe Political Assembly (OPA) respectively for their unwavering support to the Shared Prosperity Government of Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma. One good turn they say deserves another hence OPOCA shall at the appropriate time reciprocate.

Thanks and God bless you all.

Long Live OPOCA!
Long Live Imo State!!
Long Live Nigeria!!!

Signed:

Chief Barr. Rex C. Anunobi (Sokom)
National President,
Orlu Political Consultative Assembly (OPOCA).

Chief Kingsley Ufere (Ikenga Izuogu)
National Secretary,
Orlu Political Consultative Assembly (OPOCA)

For and on behalf of OPOCA High Command.