The stakeholders during the event
By Jennifer John, Owerri
Leaders of the Owerri zone have again called for adherence to the Imo Charter of Equity, which favours the zone to produce the next governor of the state in 2027. The leaders/ stakeholders, yesterday, paid another round of solidarity cum advocacy visit on the state Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, at the Government House, Owerri.
During the visit, one of the prominent leaders of the zone, Captain Emmanuel Ihenacho, aligned himself with the views of the articulate leaders who spoke before him on the need to uphold the Imo Charter of Equity, initiated and championed by the governor.
Iheanacho emphasized the existence of a group, which goes by the name “Imo Harmony Project”, which is working hard to promote the ideals of the Governor, mobilizing support for the current administration across the globe.
Also in his remarks, the immediate past deputy governor of the state, Professor Placid Njoku, informed the governor that Owerri zone was united than ever. On the issue of the charter of equity, Njoku recalled that the person who moved the motion for the adoption of the charter of equity, after its introduction by the Imo State Council of Elders, was not from Owerri zone, and also, the person who supported the motion was not from Owerri zone.
Njoku pointed out that the document clearly stated that the governorship seat should rotate to the Owerri zone after the second tenure of Governor Uzodimma. He posited that it is a fair arrangement, considering the disadvantaged position of Owerri zone as far as producing the governor of Imo State is concerned, and the fact that the arrangement will make transition of power less violent and contentious.
In her speech, former Minister of Aviation, Dr. Kema Chikwe, appreciated the Governor for taking the bull by the horns and setting up the Imo Charter of Equity, which she described as a veritable platform for equity in the state.
She emphasised the need for the people of Owerri zone to match their words of being united with action, while calling on the other zones of the state to respect the content and provisions of the charter document, for seamless transition of power in the state, on a rotational basis, among the three senatorial zones of the state.
Responding, Governor Uzodimma made it clear that he has proven by all his actions, especially since the assumption of office as the Governor of Imo State, that he is a man of his word, urging the people of Owerri zone not to entertain any fears about his willingness to keep to the charter he initiated.
He, however, cautioned against selfishness, a situation where some of them who were professing unity will abandon the project if they are not the ones chosen to run for the governorship on behalf of the zone.
