An elder statesman, Chief Sebastian Ekezie has described the Imo Charter Of Equity as an “exclusive arrangement of the All Progressives Congress, in Imo State.“
Speaking to INNONEWS in Owerri, Ekezie argued that the charter, which advocates for rotating the governorship seat among the three zones, is purely a creation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and does not bind the broader Imo populace.
According to Ekezie, the Imo Charter of Equity was crafted by the Imo State Council of Elders, a body he insists is filled with APC stalwarts and loyalists.
“The Imo State Council of Elders is made up of APC stalwarts. Mention one member of the Council who is not a member of the APC or a core loyalist of Governor Hope Uzodimma.”he stated.
According to him, the council’s exclusivity undermines any claim that the charter is a neutral document aimed at promoting equity in the State.
He explained that the Council’s allegiance to the APC essentially renders the charter a partisan document.
“The Council is not made up of non-APC members, so this implies that anything that emanates from that Council is a pure APC arrangement,” he argued.
The elder statesman raised concerns about imposing the charter’s objectives on all Imo citizens, particularly when those guidelines may restrict candidates from other political parties from participating in the governorship contest.
“I think the Charter is not binding on Imolites because other stakeholders in the State, who do not have affinity with the party, are not members of the Council,”
” The charter should have no authority over non-APC stakeholders” he argued.
Chief Ekezie also said it would not be right to prevent governorship aspirants from other zones from contesting, especially under the pretense of maintaining equity.
“At all times, all three geopolitical zones in the State have fielded governorship candidates, and I wonder why in 2027, under the guise of equity, some zones should be compelled not to contest because a particular zone wants to be favoured. Is it democracy?” he asked.
With regard to Owerri Zone, which has not held the governorship position in recent years, Ekezie acknowledged their rightful claim but opposed restricting other zones from the race.
“Owerri Zone has a legitimate claim to the seat because it has not occupied it for a long time, but this should not prevent other candidates from contesting” he said.
Ekezie argued that even if the APC wishes to endorse a candidate from Owerri Zone as Governor Uzodimma’s successor, it is entirely their decision but should not impact candidates outside the APC.
“If those in the APC believe that Owerri Zone should produce Uzodimma’s successor, it is entirely up to them,” he added.
He further emphasized that the Imo Charter of Equity holds no legal authority over other parties and should not limit the choices of Imo people.
“The Charter is not binding on anyone because it is no legal document. PDP, APGA, Labour Party can do otherwise,” he affirmed.
He explained that the people of Imo State should have the freedom to make an unrestricted choice for their governor in 2027, by choosing from any of the zones without being confined by a partisan agreement.
“And I believe the people of Imo State should not be compelled or cajoled to limit their choices on who should take over from Uzodimma,”
“It is the responsibility of Imo voters to choose anyone from Owerri, Okigwe, or Orlu Zone who should be their governor after Uzodimma.” he stated.
He maintained that no one has the right to dictate or limit the choices available to Imo voters.
“No one, I repeat, has the right to limit their choices on who should take over from them,” he emphasized.