THISDAYonline

A few weeks ago, a gathering tagged "Owerri Zonal Summit" held at the Grasshoppers Stadium Owerri, It was the first of its kind. At the gathering. the people of Owerri zone took time to articulate what they believe constitutes their interest. They took a clear eyed look at the state of the polity in the state and were convinced that there was the need for the zone to form a united and formidable platform with which the people can achieve their objectives. The summit, coming at a time when the three senatorial zones of the state are working hard to position themselves for next year's elections was seen as a masterstroke. It sent shock waves down the spines of the henchmen of Owerri Government House. It was so because the present government in the state is headed by a man from a different zone, namely Orlu. Thus, in government circles, the interpretation was that there was a conscious and well targeted attempt by a different zone, in this case, Owerri, to wrest power from the incumbent governor of the state. Even though Governor Achike Udenwa joined the people of Owerri at the prestigious Concorde Hotel for dinner as part of the activities marking the summit, there is still the belief that he is overwhelmed by apprehension and uncertainty over the summit.

Beyond Government House. the summit also forced the top players of Imo politics from outside Owerri zone to put on their thinking cap. For them, the presentation at Owerri was not a child's play. It was, instead, seen as a well thought out organisational framework whose sole purpose was to ensure that Owerri zone is properly represented at the top echelon of government.

In all sincerity, the summit did not declare war against anybody or any zone. It was, to a large extent, a dramatisation of a certain group interest represented by certain people.

Regardless of the general perception about the summit, the fact remains that it has helped to place Owerri zone in good stead in the on-going political re-engineering in the state. As the least favoured zone so far in terms of presence at Government House Owerri the zone has risen to the occasion. It has through the summit told its own story and invited others to be a part of the new thinking. But if there is any area where the summit helped Owerri people to gird their loins properly, it is in its ability to recognise that the zone must not be distracted by political minions who pose as heavy weights.

At moment, the zone has a number of aspirants to Government House Owerri. The summit, in a way, recognised the fact that it would be a herculean task to tilt the political equation in the state in its favour if the aspirants do not get coordinated. In a sense then, the zone saw the need to separate the grain from the chaff.

It must be understood that some of the highpoints of the gathering took place behind closed doors. The summit helped the elders of the zone to recognise, even if it is not loudly expressed, that the zone needs young and vibrant people to represent it. In other words, the people of Owerri zone have come to believe, and rightly too, that old and tired aspirants should not spoil the broth for the zone with their presence. The summit recognised the need for their elderly touch in matters of governance and would prefer that they remain as advisers and kingmakers.

Through the summit, the zone amply recognised those who should be at the forefront in the zones quest for more relevance in the state.

At moment, the zone is believed to have governorship aspirantts like Chief Humphrey Anumudu. Chief Mike Ahamba. Dr. Kema Chikwe and Chief Evan Enwerem. Interestringly. both Enwerem and Chikwe have denied nursing any such ambition. In fact, Enwerem has accepted to play the role of the god father of the politics of the zone. Chikwe, though rumoured to be interested in the job of the governor, may have been advised to keep her ambition to herself. The overall feeling is that she is not a good material for the job and would therefore not get a reasonable support.

There are other minimal aspirants who we should not bother ourselves about, since they are mere footnotes to the volume called the race to Imo Government House. However, the point must be noted that the zone through the summit, purged itself of pretensions and assumptions and has come to face reality. This reality consists in the viability of the candidacy of Chief Humphrey Anumudu. The people of the zone have come to recognise that Anumudu stands out among the amorphous crowd of aspirants from the zone. It is believed that the elders will be well disposed to his candidacy.

Unlike some of the aspirants who are mere gr- eenhorns in matters of real politicking, amunudu is already a tested political actor. When he ventured into the gubernatorial scene in 1998, he pulled surprises. Today, the incumbent Governor, Chief Achike Udenwa, has a lot of respect for him owing to his formidable political profile. For observers, when Anumudu's bill boards were sighted in Owerri, it made the people in Government House uncomfortable. Even though the bill boards said nothing about taking over from the incumbent, they were quickly interpreted to mean that Anumudu was bouncing back with renewed vigour and appeal. Because of the way he swept through the political landscape the last time, it is almost taken for granted that his return would turn the table in his favour. Government House is therefore uncomfortable with him.

For analysts as well, Udenwa and his Redemption Group would not have moved to dismantle the bill boards if they did not see Anumudu as a threat. They see him as a factor to be reckoned with. They see him as someone who should be kept in check.

They see him as a force that should be distracted, by whatever means at their disprosal. But as a fine gentleman, Anumudu was not and has not been distracted. He is taking everything in his stride. So far, he has earned the confidence and admiration of many. Even Government House is beginning to see the good man in him, a quality they hope to reap from should everything fail them. Unlike most political gladiators whose stock- in-trade is abuse and resort to guttersnipe, Anumudu is civil through and through. Udenwa and his group are believed to respect him for these and many more admirable qualities.

No other occasion offered the people of Owerri zone a better opportunity to re-examine their possible candidates than the just concluded Owerri zonal summit. It was one gathering that brought out the best and the brightest from Owerri. It was a summit that draw a bold line of distinction between the serious minded and the pretenders to the throne.

By the summit, Owerri has done itself a favour. Through the summit, the zone has come to know how best to march forward for future challenges. Through the summit as well, the zone has been able to sensitise not only its people but the entire people of Imo State on the need for good governance.

The summiteers took a dispassionate look at the present government in Owerri and are convinced that there is need for a change for the better. By that, the zone has alerted the present government of the need to sit up in the greater interest of the state.

I believe that the summit and the spirit behind it should be sustained. Its gains can no longer be over-emphasised. It is possible that if these gains are properly harnessed we should be experiencing an Imo State where focused and energetic young achievers like Anumudu will be brought on the saddle to save the state from years of Kema inertia. The Enwerems, the Emmanuel Iwuayanwus, the Chikwes and other elders of Owerri zone should cash in on the gains made so far with a view to improving on it. Owerri and indeed, the entire people of Imo state stand to gain more from such summits.

Maudakor writes from Enugu