In the first place, Charter of Equity is not new in Imo Political lexicon.
It was first introduced by the Peoples Democratic Party,PDP,and to an extent All Peoples Party,APP in 1999 when Civilian Governance berthed again.
The Leaders of both major Political parties adopted the idea for Equity, Justice and inclusion in the Governship seat of IMO State.
It was mainly to accommodate the three Zones: Orlu, Owerri and Okigwe in a rotational format give each Zone sense of belonging.
To kick start it,it was assumed rightly, that since Okigwe had led Imo previously under Bar Samuel Ununaka Mbakwe of Obowo in Okigwe Zone, for Four years and a few months,it would be wise to leave it between Orlu and Owerri.
Finally it was resolved that since Owerri had also produced a Governor in the name of Chief Evan Enwerem, even for just Seventeen months,Orlu that had not done for a day should roll off the dice.
That was the reason the two major Political parties paraded Orlu born Governorship Candidates in the persons of Dr Ezekiel Izuogu (APP) from Arondizuogu,in Ideato North LGA in Orlu Zone,and Chief Achike Udenwa(PDP) from Amaifike,in Orlu Zone also.
Every thing possible was done for Orlu Candidates to emerge from these parties despite the fact Owerri and Okigwe Zones top Politicians controlled the machineries of these parties and influenced the primary results.
The import was to give Orlu a sense of belonging at the Leadership cadre of Imo Political orbit.
This same Scenario played out at the National Polity as the APP and PDP were allowed to produce two Presidential Candidates of Yoruba extraction to assuage the West after Chief MKO Abiola’s Presidency was aborted with annulment. He even died in the process.
This led to Chief Olu Falae(APP) and Chief Olusegun Obasanjo(PDP,) to emerge as Candidates of their parties.
Therefore, head or tail, a Youruba Man MUST emerge President of Nigeria in the exercise.
In Imo,the Charter of Equity actually kicked off with Orlu Zone, though in Pinciple,since it was not written down in any document.
Therefore Udenwa Completed an Eighth Year two terms(1999 to 2007) and Dr Ikedi Ohakim succeed him as part of the Charter of equity plan and continuum.
Unfortunately,the Charter of Equity was truncated in 2011,as Ohakim who hails from Okohia in Isiala Mbano,Okigwe Zone left office after one term of Four years.
He was succeed by Owelle Rochas Okorocha under All Progressive Grand Alliance APGA.
For records,Okorocha is a native of Ogboko,in Ideato South LGA,in Olrlu Zone.
With his arrival and successor to Ohakim, with completion of Eight years of two terms,it meant that by the year 2000,Orlu Zone had accumulated an unprecedented Sixteen Years on Imo Governship Diadem.
It was this that led Imo people to vote against Zonal sentiment and supported Owerri Zone to produce a Governor in the Person of Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha of PDP, from Mbutu,Aboh Mbaise LGA, for Owerri to taste the pie.
That election was the most ever Contentious Governorship poll in the Imo history as all the Political parties paraded heavy weight Political deities across the Three Zones.
Even then outgoing Governor ,Owelle Rochas Okorocha,wanted to plant his Son inlaw,Uche Nwosu,from Eziama Obire,Nkwerre LGA,in Orlu Zone, as successor making a mockery of the Proverbial Charter of Equity.
Unfortunately,the Owerri Governorship lasted just for Seven months as Ihedioha was removed,and yet another Orlu Man, Senator Hope Uzodinmma from Oru Clan in Orlu Area again mounted the throne.
Now,Orlu has led Imo State since 1999 for Twenty two years and still counting, because when Uzodinmma leaves Office in January 2028,Orlu would have done twenty Five Years, Okigwe four Years and Owerri Seven months.
Now,the Charter of Equity has resurfaced again and was dusted by Governor Hope Uzodinmma when he was running for his Second term.
Wether it was a kite flown to clinch his second term or for really to balance the Imo Governorship equation and stop all tussles that go with it among the three Zones would be soon put to test.
The Governor had at a Function,with IMO Elders Council agreed he would move the Governorship trophy to Owerri Zone.
However,since that earlier admission,he has not been forthcoming again on the matter and concretise his promise on Owerri Zone.
He has been evading making a-cast-in-the-Stone statement on the delicate and sensitive matter.
A few weeks ago,he met Owerri Zone Leaders under the auspecies of Imo Harmony Project(IHP).
Many had hoped it would be an auspecious and opportune time for the Governor to thrash out the matter with a solid pronouncement,but he rather told Owerri people not to take the issue of handing over to them for granted,and capped it with a subtle “threat” by urging Owerri to go and unite.
Meanwhile, there is yet no known quarrel among Owerri people as they concertedly pursue the project vigorously through many platforms and means.
However,the Governor gave out a Clincher by saying his party APC is partisan,and therefore he will hand over to a member of his Party as Successor.
Since then the Governor’s Commissioner for Information and old time confidant, Hon Mbadiwe Declan Emeluba has said that the Charter of Equity is not a Law.
He is correct.
He even mentioned that both Owerri and Okigwe Candidates who slugged out the Governorship Seat with Uzodinmma took him to Court.
That also is a fact.
But it has always been the trend as such Matters remain personal pursuits of Individuals involved and not a Communal decision and collective agreement by any Zone.
Even when Ohakim was Governor,his Brother,Senator Ifeanyi Ararume from same Isiala Mbano challenged him both in the Election and Tribunal.
His Friend Chief Martin Agbaso from Owerri Zone dragged him to Tribunal.
Governor Uzodinmma himself, then as ordinary Citizen also confronted a Governor Udenwa in Imo Guber election,but Imo knew where they wanted to go and went there.
My Brother, Friend and Great Son of Owerri Zone, Chief Mike Nwachukwu(Mpidike) believes the Charter of Equity has been Shattered.
He wants it for the survival of the fittest.
Truth is, power is not served like Holy Communion. Yet it could be fought for. And it can as well be negotiated.
In most complex Societies different means and ways have been devised for power to get to all Groups in peaceful than in warring method.
In reality, majority of Imo people now believe it is time to assuage Owerri,and for the Governor to make true his promise and work for Owerri in 2027 for Equity and Justice.
Looking at the roster since 1999,Orlu would have ruled for 25 years in 2028, Okigwe Four years and Owerri just Seven months.
If Uzodinmma wants to resurrect the Imo Charter of Equity in truth and Equity, he has to revisit 1999 when Orlu kickstarted it because they had not tasted the mantle of Learship before then.
In the present circumstance, Owerri Zone needs to be given sense of Belonging like Nigeria did to Yoruba with Obasanjo Presidency.
It does not stop ambitious Orlu and Okigwe Candidates from joining the fray.
The system usually knows how these things play out and cannot be a different game in 2028 if Owerri is truly anointed by the powers that be to occupy Douglas House.
However, while the Governor would want to foist a Successor which is natural of human beings, he would do better service to Ndimo by allowing them to make their choice of Candidate among the would be Owerri Borns.
It was in the process of pushing down the throat of Imo People,his Candidate, Uche Nwosu of AA,hook, line and sinker, that Imo people fell out with Okorocha,revolted and stood their ground and proteced their votes.
Uzodinmma would be a Hero if he allows Charter of Equity to commence in his time, and be entrenched ever after he has left office as Governor.
In deed it would serve him better if he allows it go peacefully for Imo Electorate to freely express their electoral franchise,so that he(Uzodinmma )lives in the hearts of entire Imo Citizenry as a pay back Gift to him.
But Imo Citizens prove stubborn when their compuction is taken for docility. It brings out the “Beast” in them.
Imo Charter Of Equity And Babel Of Voices. BY HENRY EKPE
