Tradtional Rulers in Okigwe Senatorial Zone, Imo state, under the aegies of Okigwe Zonal Council of Ndi Eze have warned an amorphous group in the zone, Okigwe First Movement and other such groups to desist from working against the zone’s political interest. The monarchs insisted that Okigwe zone’s aspiration to produce a successor to the incumbent Governor of Imo state, Senator Hope Uzodimma, is legitimate and achievable.
Their warning is contained in a communique they issued at the end of their meeting in Okigwe. The communique, signed by Chairmen of all the Local Government Areas Council of Traditional Rulers in the zone and the Chairman of Okigwe Global Elders Forum reads in full:
“We, on behalf of the entire traditional rulers of Okigwe zone wish to categorically disavow, disclaim and disassociate ourselves from any action, statement or campaign by Okigwe First Movement, any group, organization or individual seeking to undermine, subvert or sabotage the legitimate political and economic aspirations and emancipation efforts of the people of Okigwe zone. The future progress of our zone depends on unity, brotherhood, dialogue, mutual respect and not false and misleading representations made by persons with complete lack of obvious understanding of the challenges that we face. We therefore resolve as follows:
1. That as traditional rulers, we remain committed to supporting the commendable and selfless efforts of our sons and daughters aimed at realizing the full political, economic and cultural rights of our people and call on all sons and daughters of Okigwe including our partners and well-wishers to disregard any contrary claim and continue to work assiduously towards a just, equitable and prosperous future of our zone and the state.
2. That Okigwe First Movement and other such groups should advance their advocacy with the strength of their ideas, reasons, facts, not personal attacks and negative characterizations which may give them short-term rhetorical victories but carry long term risks. That it would be tactically self-defeating and a tragic misreading of strategic opportunity not to heed this advice. We will always stand with our gallant sons and daughters who daily risk their self-comfort and strive for the common good of our people not those whose actions signal a deep betrayal of our communal aspirations.
3. That we unanimously endorse Okigwe zone’s position on the Imo Charter of Equity which has received wide acceptance by well-meaning citizens of Imo state. Our position remains that Okigwe zone should produce the successor to Governor Hope Uzodimma in 2028 in line with rotational Governorship agreement having unequivocally embraced him, delivered more votes in his electoral victory despite having far less number of local government areas and registered voters. Anything contrary to this would be deemed abhorrent to logic, fairness, equity and justice.
4. That we reiterate our earlier position and align ourselves with the statement credited to one of our illustrious sons that the state capital be moved from Owerri to Okigwe if Owerri zone will not concede the 2028 Governorship to Okigwe zone. This clarion call for the relocation of the state capital should be a stimulant for investment in infrastructure, job creation and developmental initiatives in a zone that has historically been marginalized and underserved. This shift if it happens would bring balanced development across the state, reduce the over concentration of resources in a particular zone and promote more equitable distribution of resources. It is not a vain call even though it is a constitutional issue. Nigeria’s capital has been moved from Calabar to Lagos and now Abuja. Owerri zone can make it easy by conceding the 2028 Governorship to Okigwe as it is our rightful turn.
5. That Okigwe zone is united in its resolve to attain progress and political emancipation. We are determined to guard the house even as we argue within. We stand firmly with our sons and daughters whose actions are impactful enough to command attention and strongly condemn the willful and inexcusable destruction of our aspirations by amorphous groups whose antics serve as speed limits or a drag on our ambition to address the inequalities we are confronted with. We know our political leaders from their track records of successes and we will always listen to them. We admonish the new social magicians from our zone whose abiding political conviction is securing personal advantages to remain silent and stop pouring acid in our drinking water.
6. That we will not hesitate to invoke the gods of our land against any person or persons sabotaging our interests as encapsulated in the Okigwe Zone document submitted to Imo Council of Elders and circulated to the media last year. We have been held down not with chains and whips but with manipulations. Our hope lies in this new awakening. We don’t need conflicting voices, we need people who can think with clarity and abort the schemes of those who want to perpetually oppress our people. History will remember our sons and daughters who have been recruited to weaken us as the ones who stood in the way of their people’s elevation for reasons as small as their thinking.
SIGNED:
HRH Eze Iheanacho Ndukwe
Ag. Chairman Okigwe Zone
Tel: 08037260349
‐—————————
HEH Eze C.N.Eze Chairman, Onuimo LGA.
Tel: 07037355085
—————————–
HRH Eze Engr. Chris Ogemdi Agbugba
Chairman, Isiala Mbano LGA.
Tel: 08033339954
—————————–
HRH Eze Dan Emereonye
Chairman, Ehime LGA Tel: 08032547798
————————— HRH Eze Rev Jude Uwalaka
Chairman, Ihitte Uboma LGA
Tel: 08033281283
—————————–
HRH Eze Pateick Uwalaka
Chairman, Obowo LGA Tel: 08034059329
‐–‐-‐———————- HRH Eze Dr. Oliver Ohanwe Chairman, Okigwe Global Elders Forum: 08036677767