Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma (left); Chief Justice of Nigeria Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad and former Governor Emeka Ihedioha
By Oliver Enwerenem & Martin Opara
As Imo State remembers the January 14, 2020, controversial Supreme Court ruling that removed Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, duly and popularly elected Governor of Imo State, we reflect on the darkness, which has continued to becloud the Heartland State, covering the bright light that had begun to shine on Imo for the seven months of Ihedioha led Rebuild Imo administration.
It is on record that Senator Hope Uzodinma, who we now know what he represents in the journey of Imo renaissance, came a distant fourth position in the March 9, 2019, governorship election without winning a single seat in the 27 seats of Imo State House of Assembly. True to the motive of his sponsors, he has brought darkness, bloodshed, and abject poverty to reign in our State since January 14, 2020.
By the Supreme Court ruling of December 20, 2019, Senator Hope Uzodinma was not sponsored by a Political Party. The Apex Court held that Uche Nwosu was the candidate of both Action Alliance (AA), and All Progressives Congress (APC) and therefore disqualified him for violating the provisions of the 1999 Constitution. Yet, on January 14, 2020, the same Supreme Court went ahead, contrary to its earlier ruling, violated the Constitution of Nigeria, and declared Senator Hope Uzodinma Governor of Imo State on the already voided platform of APC.
Justice Chima Nweze, a Supreme Court Judge, had foretold of the impending darkness in Imo State, when he said in his minority ruling: “Our ruling on Imo governorship will hunt Nigeria for a long time…” Senator Hope Uzodinma himself, captured the flawed process leading to his becoming the governor this way, “I came from outside, through the Ben Johnson way, I became the governor of Imo State.”
Today, Imo State has become a theater of war, with many young men, women and children killed in most gruesome manner; houses burnt with impunity; families rendered homeless and hopeless. This was not the bargain of Imolites in 2019. It has gotten so bad that prominent sons and daughters of Orlu, Sen. Uzodinma’s zone and other parts of the state cannot go home.
On November 13, 2021, a prominent Commissioner in Senator Hope Uzodinma’s administration gave his daughter’s hand in traditional marriage, a ceremony that should take place traditionally at his village country home but it was celebrated in the capital city of Owerri. Other such traditional ceremonies that should take place in Orlu zone are taken to Owerri capital city. The Igbo have it that when the land is desecrated, it chases the people or person who have committed the abominable act. Our traditional rulers have deserted their homes as many have been killed and others kidnapped by unknown gunmen.
The Church is not spared in Orlu Zone. On December 26, 2021, the Nigeria Police Force, alleged to have been sponsored by Senator Hope Uzodinma Government went into St. Peter’s Anglican Church Eziama Obaire in Nkwere LGA, and desecrated God’s sanctuary while Holy Eucharist was going on. A similar situation had taken place at Assumpta Cathedral by Rochas Okorocha’s Government.
What is happening in Imo State is an abomination that causes desolation. That Owerri zone joined hands with Okigwe to ask the then two political parties in Imo State, PDP, and APP to produce their candidates from Orlu zone, so that the people would vote for a choice candidate between them. This was done and Chief Achike Udenwa was chosen and voted for. He was supposed to rule for four years for Orlu zone to be at par with Okigwe zone. Owerri zone had only been produced a governor for 18 months only. But from four years to eight years and now to 20 years and maybe, forever! God forbid!
Today, it is known all over Nigeria that, ” Hope Uzodinma allegedly writes results” INEC is wasting its time and resources. He was reported to have written election results in the Edo State Anambra State governorship election, but he failed. We are waiting to see his ignoble role again in Ekiti State. This is made in Orlu product, tested in IMO State, and now exported parts of Nigeria; in fulfilment of Justice Nweze’s prediction, that their ruling on Imo governorship will hunt Nigeria for a long time
The Owerri Zone Agitation
Let us put the record correct, Owerri zone has the highest voting population in Imo State. Owerri zone wants peaceful rotation of power based on equity, justice, and fair play. Owerri zone knows how to control its own spoilers. The people of Orlu zone should not think that Owerri and Okigwe zones are weaklings. Owerri and Okigwe zones are interested in electing human beings who will work diligently for the people of Imo State to develop the State.
At the 4th Anniversary of the Egbu Declaration, held recently, the need for the other zones to support the equitable clamour for a governor of Owerri Zone extraction was exhaustively re-echoed. It is gladdening to note that we are satisfied and indeed encouraged with the positive responses by well-meaning people of Imo State on that clarion call. Owerri zone is ready to, again, present the best candidate at a time like this to save our State from total collapse.
As we remember the 14th January, 2020, the day darkness fell on Imo State, the people of Owerri zone, under the aegis of Coalition for Owerri Re-awakening call on all people of goodwill, lovers of peace, unity and development of Imo State to come together to rescue our dear State from the hands of deceitful people and darkened minds and put it back on track for the utilization of abundant human and material resources to develop our dear State, create jobs for our youths and remove the prevailing hopelessness that has led to Darkness in Imo State.
Hon Oliver Enwerenem is the Chairman 2021 Egbu Declaration Committee while Chief Martin Opara KSJI is the Secretary 2021 Egbu Declaration Committee.
