The fact that the local government administration is the closest tier of government to the rural populace is enough for the local government elections in Imo which are not far ahead of time to heat up the political stage in the state.
Research carried out privately by me and a few of my colleagues in the media has indicated without uncertainty that Owerri North Local Government Area has the largest number of popular and active politicians among the 27 LGAs in Imo. The amazing factor about Owerri North politicians even in their different political linings is that many of them distance themselves from both elective and appointive positions quite unlike other politicians in other local government areas. This rare class of politicians found in Owerri North would either create room for or throw their weight behind either the younger ones or the interested folks in such opportunities.
Another factor observed about Owerri North politicians is their
understanding towards zoning arrangements with regard to
elective positions in their local government. Owerri North Local government Area with its administrative headquarters in Orie Uratta has four blocs namely Uratta bloc; Alaenyi bloc; OAU/ Obibiezena bloc; and Emekuku/Emii bloc, all of which have 19 autonomous communities with 12 political
wards and 236 polling units.
Whenever there are elections at whatever level, national, state or local government, all eyes would always be on Owerri North LGA and as is of public interest, a greater concern would be about the LGA, which has an enviable calibre of politicians among who include Prince Lemmy Akakem, a political leader; Sir Ambrose Ejiogu, a political leader; Dr Mrs. Keme Chikwe, a former minister of the Federal Republic and ambassador;
Senator Ezenwa Onyewuchi; Senator Eze Ajoku; Captain Emmanuel Ihenacho, a former minister of the Federal Republic;
Chief Martin Agbaso, a political leader; Barrister Nnaemeka
Maduagwu, a former speaker in Imo House of Assembly and
former special adviser to the President; Chief Henry Njoku, a
political leader; Chief Cosmos Onyeukwu, a onetime Imo
governorship aspirant and a political leader; Chief Charles
Onyeagbako, a former commissioner; Chief Mrs. Pretty John- Emezi, a political woman leader; Lady Anne Dozie, a former
commissioner; Engr Dr Jude Obichere, a governorship candidate in the 2023 general election; Hon. Udo Agoha, a former commissioner and former state chairman of a party; Chief Onwuanibe, a political leader;Hon. Uchenna Osuagwu, a former state chairman of a political party; Arch Amaugo Ugorji, a former chairman of JAMB; Mr. Chidi Nzerem, a political leader; Nze WASCO, a political leader; Chief Tony Umezurike, a former Commissioner, Chief Alex Mbata,a senatorial candidate in the 2023 general elections; Chief Mike Nwachukwu; a senatorial candidate in the 2023 general elections; Chief Obodo, a political leader; Hon. Dan Ikpeazu, a former state lawmaker; and also the likes of Sir Chimdi Ejiogu; Hon. Noel Iheme; L/Reader Jonkay Agoha; Mr Sam Egere; Hon. Patrice Azuike; Hon. Law Madu; Barr. Chiedu Mezu; Barr. Emeka Nwaneri; Eze Iheanacho; Hon. Chuks Chukwueke; Hon.Vita Opara; Nze James Chinonyerem (Oduebube); Hon. Lambert Iwueke; Hon. Kelechi Nzewuihe; Prof. Henry Njoku, a former commissioner; Chief Jude Ejiogu, a former SSG; Chief Jerry Chukwuwuike; Chief Nick Oparandudu, a former commissioner; Hon.Okenze Onuegbu; kelechi Egere; Hon Elvis Anumudu and the ones currently serving in various capacities the member representing Owerri
North state constituency, Hon. kelechi Ofurum and the APC chairman of Owerri North who an erstwhile commissioner, Hon, Kelechi
Azuike, Hon. Ray Emeana; a former commissioner and currently the Director General of Ahiajoju Centre; Hon. Tochukwu Okere,(Toska), member of the Federal House of Representatives, Mazi Paul Amadi, a governorship candidate in 2015 governorship election; Hon. Paddy Obinna and a host of others too numerous to mention in this
small space.
Such Opinion polls have disclosed that the risen popularity of Owerri
North LGA was stemmed from the history of Christian religion,
education and natural cum significant landmarks linked to the
ancient communities of Emekuku and Egbu in particular.
Owerri North LGA has since its creation in 1996 maintained an
organized and conventional zoning formula on the Chairmanship seat of her local government and that of House of Assembly leaving no room for wrangling and rancour. This is
widely seen as one of the factors that has kept its image flambouyant and colourful.
Now that another local government election is around the
corner, that image identity of Owerri North anchored on pedigree must be protected with the factors of equity and fairness and popular choice of a candidate.
Those who are aspiring for the local government chairmanship seat should, as a matter of necessity, be identified with honour and prestige minding the caliber of men, youth and women in the LGA.
I felt proud with the viral report that the likes of Hon. Lambert
Iwueke are in the race for Owerri North local government Chairmanship seat and happier that he is reported to come from the Emekuku /Emii bloc where it is widely believed the seat is zoned to. In the words of the great philosopher, Aristotle, ‘choice, not chance determines our destiny’.
Aware that Owerri geo-political zone which has Owerri North
Local government as one of its key LGAs is hoping on the reenacted Imo charter of equity to have one of her sons as governor of Imo state in 2027 which in effect means that
Owerri North would not allow ‘its image’ to be dragged to the
mud if it toys with ‘equity and fairness’ in the forthcoming local
government polls. Imo people are keenly watching.
Supplementary to the foregoing, it would not be equitable and fair to encourage anyone from the same bloc with the current Owerri North Chairman of the political party in power for the contest of Chairmanship seat of the local government Council or allowing it to be a free for all contest after some of blocs had benefited from the peaceful zoning formula in the old and recent past.
A word for the councillorship aspirants is that each and every
one of them should keep the interest and image of the LG above his or her personal interest. We must get it right, by God’s grace.
The recent Supreme Court verdict over the autonomy of the local governments in the federation would further keep the elected chairmen and councilors on the
mandate for rural developments.
The pinnacle of their attributes which include humility, track records, penchant for service delivery, experience in local government administration and respect for the people of Owerri North will make Owerri North proud after the LG election. I so submit.
Chinedu Max Egere, a member of the Nigerian Guild of Editors
(NGE) Wrote from Owerri.