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B N W: Biafra Nigeria World News |
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Rulers, kinsmen back Nzeribe for Imo governorship race
TRADITIONAL rulers in the 12 local councils of Imo State have endorsed Senator Francis Arthur Nzeribe for the governorship race in 2007.
They took the decision after a meeting at Oguta at the weekend.
The meeting was attended by council chairmen, members of the House of Representatives and politicians from the area.
A month ago, Nzeribe and other Orlu leaders had endorsed Governor Achike Udenwa for the presidential race.
Udenwa and Nzeribe are from the same zone.
At the weekend meeting tagged "Orlu Agenda", the rulers urged Nzeribe to aspire for the governorship seat.
The leaders said the issue of where the incumbent governor comes from should not be considered as a barrier, Nzeribe gave N1 million and one cow to the rulers.
In attendance at the "Haven of Peace", Nzeribe's country home, were two House of Representatives' members Osita Izunaso and Ojinika, over 20 traditional rulers, the chairman of Oguta Local Council Chief Gerald Irona and lives Orlu council counterpart, Eze Chukwudi Mayor, the Imo state Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Tourism, Chief Goddy Esom Obodo.
Nzeribe told his kinsmen that in the past, the governorship seat had been difficult for an Orlu indigene to clinch.
He said he was mindful of the aspiration of the people of Owerri and Okigwe zones, stating that anybody could push for the office since it was not based on zoning or power shift arrangements.
The leaders later went into a closed door where they took the decision to back Nzeribe for the governorship race.
In a statement, former National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Hypolite B.C. Ogboko cautioned against such political ambition for now.
In the statement dated September 28, 2004, Ogboko an indigene of Orlu and first vice president general of Orlu Zuru Mee argued that it was too early to discuss the issue, which he noted could distract Udenwa.
But the participants at the meeting urged Nzeribe to begin to put structures in place to run in the office.
Izunaso said Nzeribe is a political bulldozer, who is capable of ruling the state as governor.
Defending his position, Ogboko said: "I am unmindful of the understanding reached between the leadership of Orlu Zuru Mee, Owerri Elders Forum and Olu Okigwe during the 2003 elections."
"I believe that at the appropriate time Orlu Zuru Mee will be disposed to discuss with the leadership of Owerri and Okigwe zones, who among them would produce the governor in 2007 if rotation still remains politically fashionable.
"I very much believe that the leadership of the apex cultural organisations in the three zones of Imo State would amicably handle the issue in tandem with the state's political leadership, subject to the incumbent governor's imprint," Ogboko said.
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