David Mbamara, a former Nigerian Army captain who contested the Imo State Governorship in 2023 under the Labour Party banner, recently co-established the Owerri Zone Peoples Mandate (OZPM), according to THE SUN report.
In an interview, Mbamara condemned Chief Amadi, arguing that he lacks the ethical authority to lead the Owerri Zone because of his actions in 2015. He described how the people of Owerri Zone had placed their trust in Amadi's group, OZOPOLF, to secure power for their region. However, Amadi ultimately betrayed this trust by withdrawing support from Emeka Ihedioha and forming an alliance with Rochas Okorocha over a trivial disagreement.
In his words: “Chief Amadi has no moral claim to the leadership of Owerri Zone because he betrayed us in 2015. Owerri Zone people believed him and rallied round the group he claimed to lead, OZOPOLF, in order to ensure the return of power to Owerri zone. But what did he do?
“Just in the last minute, he abandoned Emeka Ihedioha and went into alliance with Rochas Okorocha. And what was his reason? A slight disagreement with Ihedioha. That was why he mortgaged the destiny of the entire zone. On this matter of governorship in 2027, nobody will take the likes of Chief Amadi seriously. But of course, his OZOPOLF is now a yesterday organization.”
Mbamara contended that due to this betrayal, Chief Amadi's credibility for the 2027 governorship is now in question, and asserted that OZOPOLF has become obsolete. He highlighted the disunity among Owerri Zone leaders, citing various factions like Captain Iheanacho’s Imo Harmony Project, Willie Amadi’s Trinity OPOCA, and Emmanuel Okwu’s OZAC, all vying for leadership in Owerri. This fragmentation, he implied, signals the diminished significance of OZOPOLF as a cohesive organization.
Mbamara recounted his role in establishing OZOPOLF, mentioning that he coined the organization's name during a gathering at Barr. Kingsley Ononuju's residence and hosted its initial meeting. However, he expressed regret that Amadi had utilized the group to secure personal benefits instead of advancing the broader interests of the Owerri Zone.