Imo Poll: Orlu, Owerri, Okigwe zones, where lies the winning streak

Imo today has joined other states as Anambra, Ekiti, Osun, Ondo, Kogi, Edo and Bayelsa in the off- season election circle.

The state is for the first time being a partaker in this election module.

This Saturday, the three senatorial zones of Owerri (Imo East), Orlu ( Imo West) and Okigwe ( Imo North) will churn out votes that will determine who becomes the ‘chief servant’ of the eastern heartland.

Recall, last year, during the display of voters register, it was alleged to have been grievously compromised, paddled with fictitious names especially in Omuma Ward of Oru-East Local Government Area, LGA, which had about 6,500 registered voters in 2015 but has risen to well over 46,000 registered voters as at 2022.

Regardless of those magic that could have bouyed political gladiators, it has not given the area and Orlu zone edge to control the winning streak in Imo elections.
In this Saturday election, Imo State has 305 registration areas and 4,758 polling units (PU). However, 38 of the PUs have no registered voters.
Owerri zone has nine LGAs—Aboh Mbaise, Ahiazu Mbaise,Ezinihitte Mbaise, Ikeduru, Mbaitoli, Ngor Okpala, Owerri Municipal, Owerri North and Owerri West.

Okigwe has six LGAs (Ehime Mbano, Ihitte/Uboma, Isiala Mbano, Obowo, Okigwe, Onuimo) , while Orlu has 12 LGAs. They are Ideato North, Ideato South, Isu, Niaba, Nkwerre, Nwangele, Oguta, Ohaji/Egbema, Orlu, Orsu, Oru East and Oru West.

In the face of all political gerrymandering displayed during voters registration, the truth remains that the numbers in INEC register may not actually materialize to real votes.

As all hopes raised by the much touted Bimodal Voter Accreditation System(BIVAS) has been brought to the lowest of hope by the outcome of the last election and the broad daylight robbery at election tribunals, in the last two years it’s a known fact that both youths and even the aged have fled in droves from most of the communities in Orlu area.

Orlu with 12 LGA may not in anyway poll the greater number of votes to determine the winner even with it’s 890,702 card carrying figure known by INEC.

According to data published on INEC portal, Owerri Zone with nine LGAs has the highest number of PVCs collected for the 2023 governorship poll in the state with 1,032,405 while in Orlu Zone 890,702 collected PVC, with Okigwe Zone trailing behind with 395,812 collected PVCs in the area ahead of the election on Saturday.
How these INEC figures would translate to real voters remains a puzzle.

Imo State undoubtedly is an evolving political landscape of wonders and challenging elections, epicentre of political gerrymandering.

A state where political formulas and languages not yet in political lexicon are espoused, ever ready to spring surprises.

In Nigeria, the average politician, particularly those referred to as astute and seasoned politicians don’t believe in credible elections, they are only doing everything to game the system.

Yakubu, INEC Chairman

INEC the ‘unbiased’ umpire and security agencies cannot save the situation because going by what happened at the last general elections, they speak from both sides of their mouth, they are like the tail of wall gecko, you can’t hold firm to.

Mahmoud Yakubu INEC chairman’s antecedents does not in anyway and at anytime imbue confidence. Imo people should do their best and live the rest in the hands of all knowing God.

Ezurike Ugochukwu, writes from Lagos