Uzodimma, Owerri Stakeholders Differ Over Imo Equity Charter

Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma and stakeholders of the Owerri senatorial zone have disagreed over the Imo charter of equity which defines a power rotation system in the state.

The stakeholders  yesterday rejected the charter of equity which they said is being foisted on the state by Uzodimma.

But the governor speaking through his commissioner of information, Declan Emelumba, said the equity charter was the idea of the Imo elders and not his. 

In April, the Imo State Elders’ Council adopted a Charter of Equity for the rotation of key political offices among the three Senatorial zones.

The elders who endorsed Uzodimma’s second term bid, however, said the charter of equity entails the rotation of the governorship sit among the three Senatorial zones of Orlu, Okigwe, and Owerri for eight years each.

Meanwhile, Uzodimma’s zone, Orlu zone, has, so far, occupied the governorship position of the state for 20 years, while Owerri and Okigwe have occupied the top seat for seven months and four years respectively.

But speaking yesterday the Owerri leaders under the umbrella of the Coalition of Owerri Zone Socio-cultural Organisations and professional bodies in a communique called on the people not to accept the current attempt to confine their zone to a political dustbin in the Imo project.

The communique jointly signed by Chief Mike Ahamba (SAN); Sir Martin Opara, Secretary Planning Committee/President General, Olu Owerri, and eight other leaders of the zone said they stand on the charter of equity “propounded by Imo elders and founding fathers in good conscience, on the return of democracy in 1998.

The communique said  Owerri zone adopted all the positions of the maiden EGBU DECLARATION against injustice in the Imo sociopolitical landscape which has “seen Owerri zone and her people, meted with the worst injustice.”

It read in part, “After a careful and detailed analysis of the state of Imo today and the current position of the Owerri man in the Imo project, we urge the governor of Imo State to rededicate himself to the return of peace and security in our State and advice perpetrators of this strange plague in our land to shield their swords.”

The Owerri leaders also decried the rising insecurity in the state which has “led many Imolites to flee their homes thereby making them internally displaced persons (IDPs) in their State.”

“We deeply regret that successive political actors have continued to truncate this brotherly accord which recognized the tripod arrangement of Imo State and laid a foundation for power to rotate between the three sister Senatorial zones of Orlu, Owerri, and Okigwe, in the interest of peace, equity and fairness.”

They however advised governorship candidates from Owerri zone to unite behind a single candidate  in order to have a stronger and successful outing in the November 11 election.

“We restate that there will be no better way to restore equity and fairness in Imo than supporting Owerri zone to produce the next governor of Imo State come 11th November, 2023, and urge Owerri electorate to wake up from slumber and vote for any credible Owerri zone Governorship candidate.”

Reacting however, the commissioner for Information and Strategy, Declan Emelumba, said the charter of equity was the proposition of the elders council and that the governor had no hand in it.

According to him, “the elders proposed this in their wisdom and believe that this is best for the state at this critical period.”