BY  Nkechi  Ojukwu

  Nzuko Owerre General Assembly, a non partisan Organisation  of Owerri Federal Constituency indigenes, held a crucial meeting on Saturday, May 6, 2023, at the Country Home of one of their members Chief Jerry Chukwueke, Ohamadike, where they deliberated on important issues aimed at the well being of Owerri Federal Constituency.
   The meeting which was well attended by delegates from various parts of Owerri Federal Constituency, was presided over by President of Nzuko Owerre General Assembly, Hon. Dan Ikpeazu.
   The Assembly deliberated on such vital issues as the Chatter of Equity propounded by the Imo State Elders Council; the performance of the present Governor of Imo State Senator Hope Uzodimma; and the feasibility of Owerri Zone producing the next Governor of Imo State, after Governor Uzodimma, particularly for equity and fairness to favour Owerri Federal Constituency to have a shot at Imo State Governorship seat, when the time comes.
    The Nzuko Owerre President Hon. Dan Ikpeazu, haven introduced the issues for deliberation, at the inception of the meeting, emphasizing that Nzuko Owerre is non partisan but focuses on matters that can help the well being of Owerri Federal Constituency, called for contributions.
   The host member Chief Jerry Chukwueke, Ohamadike, highlighted the various achievements of Governor Uzodimma, which includes among others, attraction of Teaching Hospital for the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), which led to the Federal Government approving the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owerri for use as FUTO Teaching Hospital, as well as the approval by the Federal Government for the Nigerian Navy to dredge Urashi River at Oguta down to the Atlantic Ocean, which means opening Imo State to the entire world and to create job for the youth. He also outlined the various developmental strides the Governor has and still being  embarking on: building of ITC  technology for the youth, paid of Health Care Insurance, that he scored first in human capital development, " the 95% of resources that comes for Imo is been used for the state projects " which have impacted heavily on Owerri Federal Constituency. Ohamadike Jerry Chukwueke hence opined that in view of the good works of the Governor, that the best option left for Owerri Federal Constituency is to support Governor Uzodimma for a second tenure, to enable him complete what he has begun in Imo State.
   Former Transition Committee (TC) Chairman of Owerri North LGA Hon. Austin Achilike emphasized the need to support the present Governor from Orlu Zone, who will serve out a second tenure of four years and allow a short period for Owerri Zone to have the position, than support an Okigwe Zone fresh person who will aim at serving eight years.
   Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of Nzuko Owerre General Assembly and former Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Imo State Council Hon. Dr. Fidel Onyeneke advised that Owerri Federal Constituency should trade with caution, in order to take the right decision that will be highly favourable to their people, even as he opined that irrespective of party inclination, that Owerri Federal Constituency will take the right step by supporting the present Governor from Orlu Zone,  in view the good things he has done for the Federal Constituency and for continuity sake, as well as his short period of four years, which will bring the Governorship nearer to Owerri Zone.
   The Deputy Chairman of the Imo State Elders Council and indigene of Owerri Federal Constituency, who was invited by the body, explained the contents of the Imo State Chatter of Equity and released the good news that Orlu Zone and Okigwe Zone have supported Owerri Zone to produce the next Governor after the present one Senator Hope Uzodimma.
   A Communique released after the meeting, read by the President of Nzuko Owerre General Assembly Hon. Dan Ikpeazu, stated in part thus: "The objective of Nzuko Owerre General Assembly is for welfare, progress and development of Owerri Federal Constituency. The membership is drawn from the professionals, academia, politics, religion and business.
   "Nzuko Owerre General Assembly has, through organized engagements brought certain deficient situations of the Federal Constituency to the attention of successive administrations in the state, where upon some of the gaps have been identified and filled. We are not partisan.
    "Today being Saturday, 6th May, 2023, the Assembly held its usual meeting at the Country Home of one of our members Chief Jerry Chukwueke, Ohamadike, at Awaka, Owerri North Local Government Area of Imo State and considered a number of critical issues affecting the interest of the people. 
    "Major among the issues are: The support of Chatter of Equity; the support of Governor Uzodumma second term  and of the view that next Governing will come from Owerri Federal Constituency. Also the impact of the present administration regarding the social, economic and infrastructural upliftment of Owerri Federal Constituency; and the quest for Imo Governor of Owerri extraction, nee Owerri Federal Constituency, ."
     In view of this, the Assembly stated that they strongly support and align with the views of proponents of the Chatter of Equity, which they said seems to uphold a fair and equitable rotation of Governorship among the three political Zones in the state. They also viewed that Uzodimma having the constitutional right to seek re - election for a second tenure and that since it is not in doubt that the Governor has given good account of himself in the development of Imo State to merit second tenure, that Nzuko Owerre General Assembly concedes that Governor Hope Uzodimma is entitled to ask for re - election for a second term.
    The Assembly further stated in their Communique thus: "That for the dream of having a  Governor of Owerri extraction to be realized within the shortest expected period, the Assembly agrees that it requires symbiotic relationship between Owerri Zone and Governor Hope Uzodimma to support each other, with Owerri Zone showing good faith in the re - election of the Governor.
   "...It is our contention that the next Governor of Owerri extraction, after Governor Hope Uzodimma should be elected from Owerri Federal Constituency for reason that both Mbaitoli/Ikeduru and Mbaise have at different times produced Governor's, except Owerri Federal Constituency. With this done, equity will be seen to have been served."
   In conclusion, the Nzuko Owerre General Assembly Communique stated: "With these interventions, Nzuko Owerre General Assembly gives kudos to Governor Uzodimma and urges him not to relent but be assured that the Assembly is strongly behind his aspiration for a second tenure to complete the several projects he has embarked on, as one turn deserves another."