Concerns over the Imo Charter of Equity, designed to ensure fair rotation of the state’s governorship, have escalated as aspirants from Orlu and Okigwe zones may signal defiance ahead of the 2027 gubernatorial contest.
Despite the Charter’s mandate favouring Owerri zone for the 2027 Imo governoship, aspirants from Orlu and Okigwe zones are actively preparing to disregard the Charter’s principles, this newspaper can authoritatively say.
While the Charter does not legally prohibit governorship candidates from Orlu and Okigwe zones, it is widely expected that adherence to its spirit would discourage gubernatorial aspirants from the two zones.
The issue of 2027 Imo guber and Charter Of Equity came to the fore during the birthday celebration of Marcellinus Nlemigbo, former State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, where former Imo State House of Assembly member from Orlu Zone, ,Larry Ajaero, declared Orlu zone intentions to contest vigorously the 2027 guber race, particularly if Owerri zone presents “a wrong person”
Ajaero, according to an Owerri based newspaper report, emphasized that the 2027 guber contest would be “dollarized,” thus suggesting a high-stakes battle irrespective of the Charter’s provisions.
In contrast, Nlemigbo, a prominent figure from Owerri zone, at the event, reaffirmed the zone’s entitlement to the 2027 governorship seat, citing historical precedents.
According to Nlemigbo, following Orlu and Okigwe zones’ previous governorship tenures, it is now Owerri zone’s turn to produce the next state governor in 2027
However, INNONEWS gathered that there is dissent within Orlu and Okigwe zones regarding their commitment to the Charter of Equity.
This newspaper had exclusively reported detailed preparations of gubernatorial hopefuls from Orlu zone, signaling their readiness to vie for the Imo governorship in the 2027 election cycle, despite the Charter’s tenets and provisions.