Enough Of The Historical Revisionism: 2011 Was A Civilian Coup Against Ohakim, Not A Fair Election- Coalition for Imo Equity and Justice 2027 – SIXT-MEDIA LANE
ENOUGH OF THE HISTORICAL REVISIONISM: 2011 WAS A CIVILIAN COUP AGAINST OHAKIM, NOT A FAIR ELECTION
Coalition for Imo Equity and Justice 2027
Published July 21, 2025
A recent article authored by MacDonald Amadi, titled “Owerri Zone Did Not Betray Okigwe in 2011,” presents a dangerously revisionist version of events that undermines the collective memory of Ndi Imo and risks distorting the moral framework upon which the 2027 governorship debate must be built.
To be clear, the purpose of this response is not to inflame zonal divisions. We categorically affirm our respect and deep admiration for the good people of Owerri Zone, especially the ordinary citizens, the communities, and the progressive minds across Aboh, Ahiazu, Ezinihitte, Ngor Okpala, Mbaitoli, Ikeduru, and beyond, many of whom demonstrated democratic spirit in 2011 and will once again play a vital role in shaping Imo’s future in 2027.
But we must separate the people from the elite, the political class and clerical power brokers, especially those from Owerri Zone, who actively masterminded or enabled what history has now recognized as nothing short of a civilian coup d’état against a sitting governor from Okigwe Zone.
THE 2011 DESTRUCTION OF A SITTING GOVERNOR WAS SYSTEMATIC, NOT DEMOCRATIC
Let us remind the public: in 2011, Dr. Ikedi Ohakim, then Governor of Imo State and the first (and still only) son of Okigwe Zone to hold that office, was running for a second term, consistent with Nigeria’s democratic tradition, zoning principles, and constitutional stability.
What should have been a routine reelection campaign was instead turned into a violent, vicious, and unrelenting war of character assassination, spiritual blackmail, and institutional sabotage.
It wasn’t an election, it was an ambush. What Dr. Ohakim faced was not normal political opposition.
It was a full-spectrum campaign of calumny, deliberately engineered by a coalition of entrenched interests who feared his independence, resented his reforms, and wanted to return Imo State to the grip of godfatherism and political hawks.
And yes, many of these powerful actors, political gatekeepers, elite clergy, media warlords, and demagogues were either from, based in, or had deep influence in Owerri Zone.
Let no one pretend otherwise.
FALSEHOODS, SMEAR CAMPAIGNS, AND THE “REVEREND FATHER” INCIDENT
The infamous “slapping of a Reverend Father” narrative, now known to be false, debunked, and retracted was cynically weaponized by those who understood the emotional hold of religion in our society. No evidence was ever presented, no investigation ever substantiated the claim. But in the heat of 2010–2011, it was used as a rallying cry to cast Ohakim as the devil incarnate.
Even when Dr. Ohakim offered clarification, provided proof that he was not present on the day of the alleged event, and appealed for peace, some prominent voices from the pulpit and self-interested politicians fanned the flames.
They chose partisanship over truth, and silence over justice.
Those who should have mediated instead inflamed tensions. Those who should have defended truth and equity allowed their altars to become political trenches.
And while the people watched in confusion, the political elite closed ranks behind a singular agenda: stop Ohakim—by any means necessary.
VOTES WITHOUT CONTEXT ARE MEANINGLESS
Amadi’s article leans heavily on vote tallies, citing figures from Mbaise and parts of Owerri Zone. But numbers divorced from context amount to propaganda. It is not enough to claim “Owerri gave more votes than Okigwe.”
We must ask: under what conditions did those votes emerge? Which zones had coordinated violence, cancelled polling units, or judicial re-runs? Which LGAs magically experienced late voting, mysterious card reader failures, or abrupt result cancellations?
And those who collaborated with federal authorities to declare manipulated figures and overturn the will of the people, where are they from?
Let’s not forget that key parts of Owerri Zone were affected by re-run elections, not because they were hotbeds of democracy, but because of orchestrated disruptions, some designed to suppress Ohakim’s base or manipulate outcomes.
This is not to say the entire Owerri Zone betrayed Ohakim, far from it. But it is indisputable that the dominant political elite in Owerri Zone did not support Ohakim’s re-election, and in many cases, actively conspired to derail it.
They neither stood for equity nor condemned the injustice when it occurred. They watched or participated as a sitting Governor was pulled down without cause.
THE INJUSTICE OF 2011 CANNOT BE WHITEWASHED
Imo State’s democratic conscience must reject the temptation to paint over the political sin of 2011. What happened to Dr. Ohakim was not a routine electoral loss, it was an elite-backed removal, a miscarriage of zoning justice, and a direct slap in the face of constitutional equity.
How do we explain that Orlu Zone has produced governors for 24 unbroken years (1999–2027), while Okigwe, despite being one of the original provinces in Imo’s formation, has only managed four years, unjustly truncated? How do we justify that when Okigwe finally had its turn, it was sabotaged and cut short, and yet some now argue it should move aside quietly again in 2027?
Even when an Owerri son, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, briefly became Governor in 2019 and his mandate was cut short, Okigwe people did not gloat. They supported stability and respected the court’s decision, even though it returned power to Orlu yet again.
That is the spirit of equity. That is the maturity Okigwe has demonstrated time and time again. We ask only for the same in return.
2027 IS A MOMENT FOR RESTORATIVE JUSTICE, NOT ENTITLEMENT POLITICS
The attempt to now deflect responsibility and suggest that Okigwe “betrayed itself” is an insult to the facts. This revisionist narrative is not just inaccurat, it is an obstacle to reconciliation.
We are not demanding power on the basis of sentiment. We are demanding justice based on a denied second term, a wounded democratic mandate, and a historical betrayal that must be acknowledged if Imo is to heal.
Let no one mistake our civility for weakness. Let no one mistake our silence for forgetfulness.
We extend hands of unity to every part of Imo, including our brothers and sisters in Owerri Zone.
But unity must be built on truth. If the future of Imo is to be truly equitable, it must begin by correcting the injustice of 2011, not ignoring it, not whitewashing it, and certainly not justifying it.
Dr. Ikedi Ohakim remains a symbol,not just of Okigwe pride, but of political injustice left unresolved.
2027 offers a chance to correct that injustice, not as a favor to him, but as a debt owed to the principles of fairness and balance in our democracy.
LET HISTORY SPEAK THE TRUTH AND LET JUSTICE GUIDE THE FUTURE
We urge all well-meaning citizens of Imo North, East, and West, to reflect deeply. This is not about zones, it is about truth.
Let us not be deceived by comfortable lies. Let us not mortgage our future on falsehoods. Let 2027 be the year we finally honor zoning, recognize equity, and restore justice.
Let us return to Okigwe what was taken from it, not by force, not by manipulation, but by conscience.
Only then can Imo truly move forward.
Signed:
Dr. Uchenna Ugochukwu
Coalition for Imo Equity and Justice 2027, Imo State
July 21, 2025
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