On Imo Charter Of Equity We Stand

BEN AHANONU

In a bid to foster peace, unity and stability in Imo polity, members of the Imo State Elders’ Council, led by the Chairman, His Royal Majesty (HRM) Eze (Dr.) Cletus Ilomuanya, unanimously and patriotically adopted the Imo State Charter of Equity for the rotation of key political offices among the three senatorial zones.

Notable among these offices are those of the governor, deputy governor and speaker of the House of Assembly.

The Charter, which is a creation of law, stipulates that the governorship of the state will rotate among the three Senatorial zones of Orlu, Okigwe, and Owerri for eight years each.

It noted that since Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma from Orlu zone is already the governor, the next zone to hold the office will be Owerri after which, it will move to Okigwe Zone.

The Charter of Equity also stipulates that both the governor and the deputy governor cannot come from the same zone, just like the governor and the speaker cannot come from the same zone.

According to Eze Ilomuanya: “The Imo Charter of Equity, unanimously adopted by the Council, is a panacea for the rancour and heat usually associated with the quest for the governorship position of Imo State.

“It is necessary to ensure peace, equity, fairness and justice for all the political zones in the State.”

Indeed, the Imo Council of Elders is spot-on with the submission and I cannot agree more.

However, is the Charter of Equity new?

Historically, it was the adoption and application of Imo Charter of Equity by great leaders like Chief (Engr) Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, CFR and late Chief Evan Enwerem that made it possible for former Governor Achike Udenwa from Orlu Zone to emerge in 1999.

The Charter of Equity was working until it was interrupted by extraneous forces during the administration of Chief Ikedi Ohakim, who was accused of an offence he never committed and that worked against his re-election as Chief Rochas Okorocha seized the opportunity with the lie of philanthropy to deceive Imo people into electing him as Governor and he was almost succeeding himself through his son-in-law (at the expiration of his second term of office) as nobody could stop his vaulting and counterproductive ambition until Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma boldly stepped in and dealt a decisive and mighty blow to the attempt by Okorocha to perpetuate himself in power through a surrogate.

Having secured the victory, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma asked stakeholders from Owerri Zone to produce one person, who is competent, tried and trusted to stand for the gubernatorial election much in keeping with the tenets of the Imo Charter of Equity.

Unfortunately, the selfish ambitions of the aspirants from Owerri Zone prevented them from reaching an agreement on a consensus candidate and because of the implications of time vis-a-vis the law guiding the electoral process, Uzodimma could not wait ad infinitum, hence he decided to stand for the election.

The foregoing is a true account of how Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma emerged as a contestant. It was much against his wish (because he is a renowned advocate of fairness, justice and equity) but more about lack of seriousness, pride and lack of love among the about seven aspirants from Owerri Zone then.

One thing certain is that Gov. Uzodimma could not have waited for them forever and it will be politically naive and inappropriate to create a vacuum or give the opponents opportunity to exploit the situation to their advantage.

After reclaiming his mandate from the Supreme Court (following the deliberate failure of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to do the right thing by declaring him the real winner and elected Governor,) Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, in his first speech as the Governor of Imo State, promised to institute a paradigm Shift through his 3-R policy of Recovery, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction.

Today, the massive transformation of Imo State from backwardness into one of the fastest developing States in Nigeria based on all economic indicators, is the hallmark of the 3-R policy that is still ongoing hence necessitating a second term of office.

For instance, the Shared Prosperity Administration of Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma has been able to boost Imo monthly Internally Generated Revenue from N800 million to N3 billion. Yes, it is true and verifiable.

Just recently 15, 000 Imo youths, who are part of Imo Skill Up Programme Cohort 2, graduated with digital skills and were empowered with digital tools including laptops and cash.

The Imo Skill-up Programme is just one of the many youth empowerment programmes of the Imo State government under the leadership of Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, to train and empower youths in digital skills and has set a target to train and empower over 100,000 youths in digital skills.

According to Governor Uzodimma: “My administration through the Imo Digital Economy Agenda (IDEA) will ensure that Imolites attain a higher level of digital literacy by the year 2026. ”

It must be reiterated that ab initio, Gov. Uzodimma did not set out to scuttle the Imo Charter of Equity – Never!

Instead, it was the inability of gubernatorial aspirants from Owerri Zone to decide on a consensus candidate that resulted in his emergence.

Now, Governor Hope Uzodimma has assured that the government under his watch will religiously help to implement the Imo Charter of Equity as proposed and endorsed by the Imo State Council of Elders at its first quarterly meeting on April 13, 2023 in Owerri.

According to him: “The Charter of Equity is a road map for political stability, peace and inclusiveness of all the zones in Imo State.

“The Charter of Equity is not intended to stifle the political ambition of any person, rather it is to ensure harmony and enlarge the political space for all.

“It does not in any way go against the tenets of democracy.”

“Beyond the Southeast, like in the South-south and particularly Delta State, the Charter of Equity has been adopted and implemented to reduce political tension and bickering.”

I concur with Governor Uzodimma and hereby urge every well-meaning Imo citizen to key into the new reality.

It might not be perfect but it is good enough to ensure political stability, promote harmony and peace in the State.

Meantime, does it really matter, which zone produces the Governor of Imo State if the essence of leadership of the State is to provide universal development irrespective of Zone?

Some have even stated that the Charter of Equity did not factor in women and I consider such insinuation as irrational and divisive because no woman is barred by law from participating in the political process.

Democracy in Nigeria is still evolving and the womenfolk are doing very well.

I equally believe that women are essential part of the Charter of Equity, unless those making the vicious insinuation mean a separate charter of equity for women.

Let us support the administration of Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma and pray that God Almighty will grant him more wisdom to govern the State creditably.

He has done well and truly deserves a second term of office and nothing created can stop him on November 11, 2023 because Gov. Uzodimma has the support and approval of God Almighty.

VOTE APC!
VOTE DISTINGUISHED SENATOR HOPE UZODIMMA FOR MORE PROSPERITY AND MORE DIVIDENDS OF DEMOCRACY!

God bless Imo State!

– Hon. Prince Ben AHANONU is Special Adviser (CSDP) to the Governor of Imo State.