David Mbamara, a retired captain of the Nigerian Army and a 2023 gubernatorial candidate for Imo State under the Labour Party, recently co-founded the Owerri Zone Peoples Mandate (OZPM). In an interview, he addressed the seriousness of various organizations claiming to represent the interests of the Owerri Zone. He specifically responded to the claims of readiness for confrontation made by Trinity OPOCA, led by Willie Amadi, as reported by THE SUN.
Mbamara expressed skepticism about Amadi's approach, questioning how he intended to execute his plans. He criticized Amadi for attacking Orlu zone leaders, including respected traditional rulers, over issues they were not involved in, and pointed out the impracticality of expecting Orlu people's support for Amadi's governorship project under such circumstances. He dismissed Amadi's threats as empty and highlighted the lack of action from Amadi and his allies during Rochas Okorocha's tenure, when Okorocha allegedly mistreated their people.
Mbamara recalled how Okorocha ousted two promising young men, Jude Agbaso and Eze Madumere, from their positions as deputy governors on what Mbamara described as trumped-up charges. He mentioned a third individual, Callistus Ekenze, who was promised the deputy governorship by Okorocha but ultimately used against his own brother, Madumere. Mbamara also pointed out Amadi's failure to act when Okorocha used Orlu zone youths to destroy the Eke-Ukwu Owerri market, which is significant to Amadi's ancestral heritage.
In his words: “Willie Amadi and others like him are making empty threats but where were they when Rochas was dealing with our people? Okorocha destroyed two of our most promising young men who served under him as deputy governors. I am talking about Jude Agbaso and Eze Madumere. He disgraced them out of office on trumped up charges. What did we do?
“The third chap, Callistus Ekenze, he promised to make deputy governor and used him against his brother, Madumere. What happened at the end? Willie Amadi is threatening to use Owerri youths to fight Orlu leaders but where was he when Rochas Okorocha used Orlu zone youths to destroy his ancestral Eke-Ukwu Owerri market?.”
Mbamara cautioned that in the event of physical confrontations and property destruction, the damage would occur in Owerri, and after the conflict, Orlu people would return to Orlu while Owerri people would be left to deal with the aftermath. He urged his people to stop making empty threats and to face the realities of the situation.