Imo Charter of Equity 2027 and The Ohakim Factor

By Chinedu Max Egere…

The Imo charter of equity in 1999 was initiated with good intentions as the political project was far from being wry given the genuine efforts put in place to actualize it and which Orlu geo-political zone had the first slot.

A conventional understanding of such magnitude cannot be treated naively to avoid both far and near reaching consequences.The Imo stake holders at the time were conversant with that fact.

No doubt, since after the commencement of the rotational formula in 1999, it has been full of viccititude and hiccup.

Trends in Imo have shown that it has been a drag for Owerri zone to have her turn in the course of the execution of the charter of equity.

Going further into history might be a glorious waste of time as the way forward will be overwhelmingly suitable at this time ahead of 2027 governorship election in Imo.

Before his re-election in November, 2023, the governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma had re-enacted the Imo charter of equity following the recommendations of the Imo council of elders.

The charter of equity as it has always been perceived, would not only touch the conventional rotation of the seat of the governor, but would extend to the office of the Deputy governor and that of the speaker of the state Assembly.
That of the 1999 had worked out for a few reasons. One, sincerity of purpose and two, sacrifice that was made.

At that period, there were two major political parties, the APP and PDP. The two key political parties had fielded two sons of Orlu zone in the persons of Chief Achike Udenwa and Dr Ezekiel Izuogu for the purposes of meeting the target.

During the primary election of the PDP, a prominent son of Owerri zone, Barrister Humphrey Anumudu (now late) had emerged winner but he backed down after he got the mandate of PDP to run for the election as her flagbearer. He did so out of sacrifice and in the spirit of the Imo charter of equity and the flag of the party was handed to chief Udenwa.

Yes, the governor, senator Hope Uzodimma had promised before his re-election that he would abide by the principles of the re-enacted Charter of Equity 2027 and that he would go as much as handing over to an Owerri zone man, but can he truly achieve that?

Engrossed in the repeated failures of this Charter of Equity to yield its equity and fairness for upwards of 24 years, a section of people now look at the Charter of Equity with disdain.

On the side of Owerri zone, the factor of choice and the factor
of collective support across political divide might pose a brick to wall, but to me, it is the turn of Owerri zoneg oing by the zoning statistics.

There are hundreds of candidates from the zone seen to be fit and ready.

In this circumstance, not sure of the sincerity of purpose and sacrifice that will produce success out of the charter, the jostling for the position from Owerri zone, no doubt would be hot.

Now, there are speculations that some Okigwe geo-political zone stakeholders might go into alliance with the people of Orlu where some political arithmetic can be applied to score a goal. In this case, Okigwe zone with the number of her local Government Areas, and having much from Orlu might swallow
Owerri’s nine LGAs and if Owerri zone too, goes into alliance in the same manner with Okigwe, it might yield good results at the end but some political pundits would say that such might pose a threat to Orlu, given her hunger for power, which through this measure might be ousted from her hold on power
for about 16 years or more.

These political pundits would suggest that, an understanding
between Owerri and Okigwe zones would favour Orlu only if the former governor, Chief Ikedi Ohakim would once again be given the mandate to govern the state.

In this circumstance, based on their calculation, he would only govern for a ‘term’ of four years going by the requirements of the constitution and Owerri zone would therefore commence her turn in 2031 which
will keep Orlu politically safe.

Some of the power brokers from Orlu zone are said to be hoping on this political arithmetic which they see as best options to put every zone in comfort around the charter without much pressure. This may sound too boring and odd to Owerri geo-political zone following their history of how their turns had been painfully cut short in different circumstances which ranged from the day of Chief Evan Enwerem. He had governed for only 21 months and a few weeks not until the military take–over impeded his tenure. Chief Agbaso’s issue and lately, that of Chief Emeka Ihedioha cannot be forgotten easily. The sacrifice made by Barrister Anumudu (late) cannot be also waved aside. There is no situation that cannot be managed if wisdom and understanding are allowed to take their position.

Charter of equity is needed to have a flow of peace and unity in Imo, but round table conferences with sincerity of purpose loaded with sacrifice would help a lot.

An elder statesman in Imo, Prince Bob Njemanze would not want to speak on the Charter of Equity 2027, but would only be watching with keen interest. His reasons are obvious, as he would not want to open up on that crucial matter.

The governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma had his full support for both his election and re-election on good grounds.

Prince Njemanze would not cease to express his mind that it was senator Hope Uzodimma that frustrated the move made by the former governor, Owelle Okorocha to make his in-law to succeed him.

Prince Bob Njemanze’s body language indicates that the re-enacted Charter of Equity may be a gimmick or a script about to be acted out.

Time will tell.

Chinedu Max Egere wrote from Owerri.