Governor Hope Uzodimma’s recent remarks on the 2027 gubernatorial succession in Imo State have triggered significant public discourse.
Strangely, leaders from Owerri and Okigwe zones, including his associates in the All Progressives Congress (APC), remain conspicuously silent.
This newspaper further observed that Uzodimma’s allies and beneficiaries appear caught in a web of loyalty, gratitude, and self-preservation, leaving his controversial comments on succession unchallenged by those expected to uphold zoning principles.
During a church service last Sunday, Uzodimma declared, “What matters to me is not where the next governor comes from but who can sustain and expand the progress we have made. Anyone focused on zoning or Charter of Equity is not aligned with my vision.”
The Governor’s comments, widely interpreted as a rejection of the Imo Charter of Equity, have left political observers questioning why leaders from Owerri and Okigwe zones have refrained from responding almost a week after the remarks.
Insiders in political circles say this reluctance stems from personal and political interests.
Many leaders, particularly from Owerri zone have significantly benefited from Uzodimma’s administration, receiving appointments, favours, or assurances of future political rewards.
In Owerri zone, known for its vocal support of the Imo Charter of Equity, the silence has been particularly striking.
The Emmanuel Okwu-led Owerri Zone Awareness Coalition (OZAC) is the only group that has issued a statement, urging proactive strategies over reliance on appeals for fairness to achieve an Owerri zone governorship in 2027.
However, prominent groups such as the Owerri Zone Political Leaders Forum (OZOPOLF) and the Imo Harmony Project (IHP) have remained silent.
Raymond Unanka, a member of Owerri Zone Mandate (OZM), one of the advocacy groups championing an Imo governor of Owerri zone extraction criticized this passivity,
He said “This is not the time for hanky-panky. Leaders of Owerri zone found in IHP, OZOPOLF, OZAC should come out boldly with definitive action to assert that the next governor must come from Owerri zone, no matter whose ox is gored.”
“The Governor’s remarks show he is not ready to honour the wishes of Owerri zone despite several pleas. This is very clear, and we don’t need a Seer to tell us that the 2027 governorship race is open to all zones, including Orlu, a zone that would have ruled for 24 years by the time Uzodimma ends his tenure.” he said
He alleged that personal favours from Uzodimma to OZOPOLF leaders perhaps explain the group’s silence.
“The group’s leader, Charles Amadi, whose son, Akarachi Amadi, secured a House of Representatives seat with Uzodimma’s support, cannot counter the Governor directly on this issue. Similarly, OZOPOLF Secretary, Barr. Kingsley Ononuju, who was appointed by Uzodimma to head IRROMA, appears constrained by his position,” he said.
Unanka continued “In the Imo Harmony Project (IHP), except for its leader, Capt. Emmanuel Iheanacho, who is a billionaire businessman, some of its members are either current or former appointees of Uzodimma’s administration. Most of them are his (Uzodimma’s )friends and long time allies.
“Other leaders of the group have either enjoyed one favour or political patronage from the Governor. So how can they dare the Governor by telling him straight to his face that Owerri zone must produce his successor?” Unanka asked.
The situation in Okigwe zone is equally complex. For majority of them, the Uzodimma’s remarks is a win -win situation.
Some leaders reportedly support Uzodimma’s stance. Hon. Ugonna Onwubuariri, a political stakeholder in the zone said “Before now, Owerri zone tried to railroad everyone into accepting their claim to start the Charter of Equity, but we in Okigwe resisted such emotional blackmail.”
Prominent Okigwe leaders like Prof. Nnamdi Obiareri had called for a re- evaluation of the Charter of Equity. Billionaire businessman from the zone, Tony Chukwu had previously suggested Owerri zone to relinquish the state capital in exchange for the governorship to Okigwe zone.
Unanka in his analysis continued “For Okigwe zone, the remarks made by the governor is a plus to their quest to produce Uzodimma’s; successor, thus they have nothing to worry about.
“The Governor’s remarks seem to be in their favour. They don’t need to complain because they know that Owerri zone is physiologically defeated by the latest statement of the Governor on succession.” he concluded.
Former Imo State Governor, Ikedi Ohakim has been under immense pressure from his Okigwe zone kinsmen to re contest in 2027.
