The Owerri Zone Awareness Coalition, OZAC, has told Orluzurumee that it cannot assume the role of kingmaker in determining who succeeds Governor Hope Uzodimma in 2027, saying no senatorial zone or socio-cultural organisation has the authority to dictate the political future of Imo State.
OZAC was reacting to a recent statement by Orluzurumee, the apex socio-cultural organisation of Orlu Zone, that it would not endorse either Owerri or Okigwe Zone while retaining the right to independently decide who should succeed Uzodimma. In a statement signed by its President General, Emmanuel Okwu, the coalition said the position amounted to an attempt to elevate Orlu above the other two senatorial zones.
“It is an attempt to assume the posture of a kingmaker in Imo politics, as though the political destiny of the state resides in the hands of Orlu Zone,” OZAC said. “We reject this posture completely.” The group said Orlu, Owerri and Okigwe were equal components of the state and should approach the succession question from that standpoint.
OZAC said the ongoing consultations between Owerri and Okigwe did not require intervention from Orlu, arguing that both zones were capable of resolving their differences if any and reaching an agreement on their political interests. “The fact that Owerri and Okigwe are still consulting and have not reached a final agreement is certainly no reason for Orluzurumee to play God by declaring that it will decide whether to support either zone,” it said.
The coalition also raised concerns that Orluzurumee’s position could be preparing the ground for another Orlu bid for the governorship after Uzodimma. It stressed, however, that it had no objection to any qualified Orlu indigene contesting the election. “Every Imo citizen who satisfies the constitutional requirements has the right to seek elective office,” OZAC said, adding that “the constitutional right to contest is not a constitutional entitlement to the support of Owerri or Okigwe.”
OZAC consequently declared that Owerri and Okigwe would not support an Orlu candidate for governor in 2027. It said the decision was based on its belief in equity and rotational justice, pointing to Orlu’s cumulative period in control of the governorship as a factor that could not be overlooked in determining the next political dispensation.
On the Charter of Equity, OZAC rejected any suggestion that the arrangement was created by Owerri to disadvantage Orlu. The coalition said it originated from the Imo State Council of Elders under the leadership of Eze Cletus Illomuanya of Orlu Zone and noted that Governor Uzodimma, a son of Orlu zone had publicly demonstrated support for its implementation. “If the Charter is good enough when Orlu benefits from political rotation, it cannot suddenly become negotiable when it is Owerri or Okigwe’s turn,” it said.
The coalition urged Governor Uzodimma to remain committed to the charter and resist pressure to abandon it, describing it as a credible framework for achieving political fairness and stability in the state. It also called on Orluzurumee to abandon what it described as a “self-appointed political arbiter” posture. “No zone is superior to another. No organisation owns the governorship of Imo State. And no group has the divine authority to determine who succeeds Governor Uzodimma,” OZAC said.
FUll Text Of Press Statement
ORLUZURUMEE CANNOT MAKE ITSELF KINGMAKER OF IMO POLITICS — OZAC
The Owerri Zone Awareness Coalition (OZAC) has taken note of the recent statement by Orluzurumee on the 2027 governorship succession and considers it necessary to state, in unmistakable terms, that no senatorial zone, organisation or political interest has the authority to arrogate to itself the power to determine which zone should produce the next Governor of Imo State.
Orluzurumee’s declaration that it will not endorse either Owerri or Okigwe Zone, while insisting that it will independently determine who should succeed Governor Hope Uzodimma, is not merely a statement of political neutrality. It is an attempt to assume the posture of a kingmaker in Imo politics, as though the political destiny of the state resides in the hands of Orlu Zone. We reject this posture completely. Orlu is an equal component of Imo State, just as Owerri and Okigwe are. It cannot elevate itself above the other zones or assume the powers to determine the political future of the entire state.
The fact that Owerri and Okigwe are still consulting and have not reached a final agreement is certainly no reason for Orluzurumee to play God by declaring that it will decide whether to support either zone. Owerri and Okigwe are perfectly capable of conducting their consultations and resolving their differences without political intimidation or pressure from Orlu. Indeed, the ongoing engagement between the two zones is itself evidence that the stakeholders are taking the issue seriously and are committed to arriving at a responsible and mutually acceptable understanding.
What is even more revealing is the desperation contained in the tone of the Orluzurumee statement. It gives the disturbing impression that certain interests in Orlu Zone are already preparing the ground for another Orlu governorship after Governor Hope Uzodimma. We must therefore make this clear: OZAC has no objection whatsoever to any qualified person from Orlu exercising his constitutional right to contest the governorship in 2027. Every Imo citizen who satisfies the constitutional requirements has the right to seek elective office. But the constitutional right to contest is not a constitutional entitlement to the support of Owerri or Okigwe.
For the avoidance of doubt, Owerri and Okigwe Zones will not support any candidate from Orlu Zone for Governor of Imo State in 2027. This is not a declaration of hostility against Orlu people. It is a political position arising from the imperative of equity, fairness and justice in the rotation of the governorship. Orlu has occupied the governorship for a cumulative period that cannot reasonably be ignored in any honest discussion about political rotation in Imo. The Charter of Equity was conceived precisely to prevent the perpetual concentration of political power in one zone and to give every senatorial zone a legitimate opportunity to produce the governor.
It is therefore necessary to remind those who appear to have suddenly developed doubts about the Charter of Equity that the arrangement did not originate from Owerri Zone as a political weapon against Orlu. It emerged from the Imo State Council of Elders, under the leadership of the respected monarch, Eze Cletus Illomuanya of Orlu Zone, and Governor Hope Uzodimma has himself publicly demonstrated a commitment to its implementation. It is therefore curious that voices now emerging from Orlu appear to be questioning the very principle that was designed to guarantee fairness among Orlu, Owerri and Okigwe. If the Charter is good enough when Orlu benefits from political rotation, it cannot suddenly become negotiable when it is Owerri or Okigwe’s turn.
We consequently call on Governor Hope Uzodimma to remain committed to the principles of the Charter of Equity and resist every attempt by individuals or groups to pressure, manipulate or hoodwink his administration into abandoning the arrangement. The Charter must be allowed to run its course because it remains the most credible pathway to ensuring equity, fairness, justice and political stability in Imo State. Those who attempt to frustrate it for sectional political advantage should understand that they will be remembered as architects of opposition to equity in Imo State and placed on the wrong side of history.
OZAC also advises Orluzurumee to abandon the posture of a self-appointed political arbiter and return to the spirit of equality and mutual respect that should govern relations among the three senatorial zones. No zone is superior to another. No organisation owns the governorship of Imo State. And no group has the divine authority to determine who succeeds Governor Uzodimma. The people of Imo State deserve a political arrangement founded on fairness rather than domination, consensus rather than coercion, and equity rather than sectional entitlement. The 2027 governorship must therefore be approached through the established principle of rotational justice, and not through the ambition of any zone to become the permanent kingmaker of Imo politics.
Signed:
Emmanuel Okwu
President General
Owerri Zone Awareness Coalition (OZAC)
