For some time now, the document called “Imo Charter of Equity ” has not only dominated public discourses, especially amongst the political class, it has also tended to breed more dichotomy than unity between the peoples of Okigwe and Owerri geopolitical zones in Imo State. This seeming fragmented dispositions towards the Charter,depending on how sentiments sway different persuasions,stem from the foundational nature of the Charter, which appears to serve a premeditated agenda of a few people.
I shall,however, attempt in this exposition to critically dissect the Imo Charter of Equity – its foundational structure, practicability vis-a-vis the tenets of true Equity,fairness, justice and good conscience,as well as any other issues incidental to, or associated with the Charter. The intent here is to expose any modicum of jiggery-pokery (if any) or, conversely, applaud the promoters of the Charter where necessary.
A few days ago,a respected elder statesman and politician from Emekuku community in Owerri North Local Government Area of Imo State, Paddy Obinna, descended heavily on the Imo Charter of Equity, describing it as a “farce” and a selfishly driven agenda by some desperate politicians from Owerri zone. Ironically, Ndaa Paddy, as he is commonly called, is from Owerri zone, too.
According to the 82 years old octogenarian, those pushing for “the so-called Imo Charter of Equity” without recourse to true equity, fairness and justice, are sycophants who are pursuing self-serving political agenda that is against the overall interests of Imo people. He further even advised Governor Hope Uzodimma to distance himself from such people and their calls because “they will betray him eventually.” He said that at 82 years of age, he owes “Imo people the truth, not minding whose Ox is gored.”
Not done,the octogenarian made it clear that any Charter of Equity in Imo State that is selfishly driven, abhors truth and good conscience,is unrealistic and untenable. As a panacea, he advised politicians in the State to,in 2027, first address the injustice of 2011, which robbed Okigwe zone their second tenure.
Some analysts see Ndaa Paddy’s stance as an adumbration of Prof Ukachukwu Awuzie’s earlier position.Prof Awuzie is the Vice Chairman, Orlu Zone Elders Council,first Nigerian Professor of landscape architecture, former President of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), and former Vice Chancellor, Imo State University, Owerri. Like Ndaa Paddy, Prof Awuzie gave the Imo Charter of Equity hard knocks and slammed those who midwived the document,which he classified as a caricature.
Now,let us ruminate over these: Is the Imo Charter of Equity truly a farce as canvassed by Ndaa Paddy Obinna? Why are elders from various geopolitical zones upbraiding the Charter and its advocates? Was the Charter a Special Purpose Vehicle(SPV), which seamlessly facilitated Governor Uzodimma’s reelection – 27/27?
In fact, I read an article recently where one Chris Nwosu contended that “the Imo Charter of Equity have bred more confusion, resistance, and unacceptability than proferring any reasonable solution to Imo’s political quagmire.” Could such an assertion be true, especially in the light of unrelenting rejections that have continued to trail the Charter ?
Question one : Is Imo Charter of Equity truly a farce?
This was the contention of Paddy Obinna whom I am persuaded to refer to as “Ndaa Paddy” because in Owerri West Local Government Area – my area,we traditionally respect our elders and call them “Ndaa” no matter our differences.
By the denotational meaning of farce, it is one : “A funny play for the theatre based on ridiculous and unlikely situations and events,” and two : “A situation or an event that is so unfair or badly organised that it becomes ridiculous.” Source is Leaner’s Advanced English Dictionary, 7th Edition, page 532.
Adopting the second denotational meaning of farce as our premise, let us dispassionately appraise the Imo Charter of Equity from conception to the prevailing brouhaha surrounding it. From credible and painstaking investigation, the Charter midwived by the Imo Council of Elders, through the recommendations of its “Strategy Committee” was the foundational problem with the Charter. Be patient with me; I will explain.
The Chairman of the Strategy Committee is Chief Dan Nwanyanwu from Atta,Ikeduru Local Government Area in Owerri geopolitical zone. Nwanyanwu, a lawyer and National Chairman of Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), drafted the Imo Charter of Equity, ceded or allocated the 2027 governorship slot to himself and Owerri zone and then prevailed on Governor Uzodimma who needed any support from wherever he can get it then,to win a reelectiont,to cloth it with a state apparel
Is this fair or just? Does anybody sit on a judgment over his own case? Is the foundation for this contentious Imo Charter of Equity not compromised or flawed from its conception to execution? Does this not have a semblance of a hatchet job orchestrated by a few people with the active connivance of the leadership of the Imo State Council of Elders against Imo people’s better interests, after “a beautiful handshake?”
While we ponder over this startling revelation, it was also discovered that the issues surrounding Imo Charter of Equity has become a conduit pipe through which the leadership of the Council in cahoots with a few outspoken members of the Council are cashing out from the governor’s magnanimity occasionally. Whilst many Council members are grumbling for not being carried along, not more than “Super Six” others are always smiling broadly any time they use the Charter to play Betnaija in Government House, Owerri.
Question two : Why are elders from various geopolitical zones upbraiding the Charter and its advocates ?
In Igbo cultural worldview, there is a common axiom that “what an elder sees whilst sitting, a young boy can not see it even if he climbs on top of an Iroko tree.” This is incontestable.
For Prof Ukachukwu Awuzie, Ndaa Paddy Obinna, Prof Vitalis Ajumbe, Chief Osmond Ukanacho, Okenze George Nkwoji – the last four all from Owerri zone – amongst numerous others, to openly discredit the Imo Charter of Equity as shambolic and lacking any scintilla of fairness, justice and good conscience should worry any right-thilnking and well-meaning citizen of Imo State. This is not about zonism or selfish inclinations: it is about equity, truthfulness, stability,unity, and progress of Imo State.
One may be tempted to ask: What about the leadership and members of the Imo State Council of Elders? I kindly refer anybody seeking an answer to this question to John 1 vs 46 in the Holy Bible,where Nathaniel asked Philip: “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?”
The leadership of the Council is enjoying the furore being elicited by the controversial Charter because it means more goodies for them while Imo’s political milieu is being unnecessarily overheated. It reminds us of an Igbo adage: “ala adighi nma bu uru ndi Nze,” meaning “the more the community is in confusion, the elders benefit and reap bountifully.” The Imo Elders Council are behaving like late Emperor Nero of Rome who kept drinking and making merry while Rome was in turmoil. They lose nothing afterall, it is their game, and they are playing it so well, at least, for now.
Question three: Was the Imo Charter of Equity a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for Governor Hope Uzodimma’s reelection?
The answer to this question is “a yes.” Even the governor himself knows this.
What I admire so much about Governor Uzodimma is that he is a very good Apostle of the book,”The 48 Laws of Power.” He is also a very good political fisherman. He gave the “I-don’t-care” Imo State Elders Council the beit and fiam,they swallowed it hook, line, and sinker. They toured around Imo State justifying why our governor should be reelected, and,expectedly, Imo people bought the product resulting in 27/27.
But now, elections are over, and reality dawns on all of us. Perhaps, realising that the “Owerri Zone Charter of Equity” will not fly in Okigwe zone and amongst other rational thinking Imo people in both Orlu and Owerri zones, the governor,smartly, in one of his reelection campaign outings in Okigwe zone reportedly made a proclamation that any zone between Okigwe and Owerri that produces the higher number of votes for him during the 2023 governorship election will be favourably disposed to producing his successor. Okigwe zone kept faith with this and surpassed Owerri zone in that regard. The rest is history.
This quagmire orchestrated by the Imo State Council of Elders is what has continued to hold Imo by the jugular to date. Only truth and good conscience can set Imo free.
Why Governor Hope Uzodimma should call a spade a spade.
On a final analysis, as an Imo citizen – Owerri West Local Government Area to be precise, I implore not just the governor but also Imo people to do the right thing: allow Okigwe zone complete its remaining four years – but not more than one tenure beginning 2027/2028. My opinion.
Let it be known that only the governor can not determine who governs Imo after him. Granted, he has a major role to play in that regard, but he can not force it on Imo people. “Obi ” is no longer a boy; he is now a full-grown man.I hope I am communicating?
Irrespective of our zones, we must always speak the truth if we must get it right. “What is good for the goose is also good for the gander.”
As for the Imo Charter of Equity, I am constrained to believe Ndaa Paddy Obinna’s assertion that it is truly a farce. The whole thing smacks of an absurdist theatre.
An ideal Charter of Equity must be holistic, not partial ; it must be truthful, not a hogwash or shrouded in hocus-pocus proclivities; it must be people oriented,and not deliberately designed as a conduit pipe to subterraneanly fleece the Imo State government and line the pockets of a few ; it must not be selective,hypocritical or self-serving.
A few examples suffice to buttress the fact that the much touted Imo Charter of Equity says a different thing, while in principle and practice,it does another entirely opposite thing. For instance, the recently concluded political parties’ primaries exposed the insincerity, weaknesses, and lapses inherent in the Imo Charter of Equity. For Owerri senatorial seat,the All Progressives Congress (APC)against whatever the Charter is preaching gave the ticket to Prince Alex Mbata from Owerri North LGA. He succeeds the incumbent, Senator Francis Onyewuchi,also from Owerri North LGA. Where then lies the equity in the instant case? Are other local government areas in Owerri zone strangers in their own zone?
For Owerri Federal Constituency seat in the Federal House of Representatives, Hon Tochukwu Okere also from Owerri North LGA succeeds himself again when Owerri Municipal has gone to House only once through Hon Ernest Ibejiako. Are Owerri Municipal and my local government area – Owerri West, visitors in Owerri Federal Constituency? Where is the equity?
Even more appalling is the fact that the Imo State House of Assembly seat was also allocated to a person from the same political ward with both Prince Alex Mbata and Hon Tochukwu Okere. Habaaaa ! Is this not a caricature of the Imo Charter of Equity as Prof Awuzie described it?
In Orlu zone, the Isu clan has remained marginalised to date despite their cries. They have been wailing and lamenting more than Jeremiah even did in the Holy Bible, yet no one is listening to their lamentations. Is that fair? Please, where is equity?
The skewed party primaries resonate across all the length and breath of Imo State. As it is now, genuine aspirants who hitherto believed in the scam called Imo Charter of Equity are ruing and nashing their teeth because of their gullibility. They have been scammed, obviously.
This aberration is,however, not peculiar to the APC alone. It permeates across other political parties, too. But that of APC is very significant and conspicuous because it is the vehicle driving this lopsided and unrealistic Imo Charter of Equity.
On a final note, I advise those ferociously pushing and trying to shove that embarrassing ideology called “Imo Charter of Equity” down Imo people’s throats to have a rethink because it will not work. It is settled that “he who seeks for equity must come with clean hands” and conscience, according to Othman Dan Fodio, is “an open wound, which only truth can heal.” True equity distastes the shenanigan and farce called Imo Charter of Equity.
The governor should also do himself good by distancing himself from that ludicrous and ridiculous document. His marvellous works in Imo should not be rubbished on the altar of destructive sentiments and parochial interests. I join Ndaa Paddy Obinna in urging the governor to “beware of the ides of March.”
