The Imo Charter of Equity, designed to ensure equitable rotation of the governorship among the state’s three geopolitical zones, is facing a critical test as more aspirants from Orlu Zone signal their intentions to join the 2027 gubernatorial race, despite the prolonged dominance of the zone in the governorship of the State.
Among the early entrants is Charles Orie, a former Managing Director of the Imo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (ISOPADC), who claims he was urged by Imo residents in the diaspora to join the race.
Orie’s declaration adds to the growing speculation about Orlu’s continued push to retain power, even as calls for equitable rotation of Imo governorship among the state’s three zones—Orlu, Owerri, and Okigwe—gain momentum.
By 2027, Orlu zone would have been in power for 24 years since the return of democracy in 1999, leading to heightened debates about the need and essence for a power shift to another zone.
This development comes amidst the backdrop of the Imo Charter of Equity, a framework designed to ensure rotational governorship among the three zones to foster inclusivity and fairness.
Advocates of the Charter, particularly from the Owerri zone, such as Imo Harmony Project, IHP, Owerri Zone Political Leadership Forum, OZOPOLF, Owerri Zone Awareness Coalition, OZAC, insist it is their turn to produce the next governor.
They cite Governor Hope Uzodimma’s alleged promise to hand over power to Owerri after his second term as evidence of his commitment to upholding equity and the Charter
However, Okigwe zone has presented a competing narrative.
Stakeholders from Okigwe argue that Uzodimma had promised to reward the zone that delivered the highest number of votes in the 2023 governorship election.
With Okigwe claiming to have met this criterion by overwhelmingly supporting the governor’s re-election bid, they are positioning themselves as deserving beneficiaries in 2027.
Despite these competing claims, there are strong indications that Orlu zone remains determined to retain its hold on power.
Influential political figures from the zone argue that historically, no zone in the State has ever been excluded from governorship contests in Imo State, and 2027 should not be an exception.
They assert that democracy allows for open competition, and their zone will not be sidelined regardless of past dominance.
The emergence of Charles Orie is just one indication of Orlu’s readiness to contest.
Also, other prominent figures from Orlu, including a former minister who once served as an aide to Governor Uzodimma, a high-ranking public office holder from the zone and a successful business mogul, are all rumored to be warming up for the race.
Pro-Owerri advocates, however, remain firm in their stance that the Charter of Equity must be respected. They argue that allowing Orlu to retain power would undermine the principles of justice and fairness that the Charter seeks to uphold. They have called on Uzodimma to honour his alleged commitment to Owerri zone, noting that the zone has been marginalized in the rotational arrangement for too long.
Some political analysts who spoke to INNONEWS have weighed in, emphasizing that while no aspirant or zone can be constitutionally barred from contesting, the governor wields significant influence in shaping the political dynamics ahead of the 2027 guber election.
