…to clear way for Uzodimma’s re-election
Labour leaders, traders, civil society organisations and students in Imo State have thrown their weight behind the Imo Charter of Equity that is believed to be capable of bringing about equity, fairness and justice in the rotation of the Office of the Governor among the state’s three senatorial zones.
They, however, said the Charter of Equity should take effect in 2028 when the incumbent governor, Hope Uzodimma, who is gunning for reelection in November 2023, must have completed his second term.
This is coming a few days after the Imo State Council of Elders formalized, “unanimously adopted” and presented a copy of the Charter to Governor Uzodinma.
Chairman of the Council, Eze Cletus Illomuanya, had at the presentation described the Charter of Equity as “a panacea to rancour and heat usually associated with the quest for the governorship seat of Imo State”.
The Council had also said the Charter had programmed power rotation such that having completed a second term in 2028, Uzodimma would hand over to a successor from Owerri Zone, while Okigwe Zone would take over after eight years of Owerri Zone.
The Nigerian Observer had reported last week that the Charter of Equity may have become necessary following the domination of the Imo State governorship seat by one out of the three zones of the state since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999. Orlu Zone, with 12 out of Imo’s 27 local government areas, is at a vantage position and has produced the state governor for 20 out of 24 years since 1999. This would tally to 24 years should Governor Uzodimma win his reelection bid in November this year.
Now the Council says with the Charter, the rotation of power from one zone to the other would happen with unprecedented ease. But that’s after Uzodimma’s second term when Orlu Zone must have done 24 years.
Labour leaders, students, CSOs and other groups are toeing the same path, according to a press statement by Oguwike Nwachuku, Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the Governor.
“[On] the issue of Charter of Equity, we are also in support that after his [Uzodimma’s] eight years, by the Grace of God, the power should shift to Owerri Zone, and when Owerri Zone takes care of their eight years, it should also go down to Okigwe Zone,” Richard Eze, President, Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Imo State, said.
“When it rotates that way, it will stop what we call bickering and acrimony. It will also reduce the cost of campaigning so that every zone where the governorship is zoned will go in and get their best. So, that is why, on behalf of local government employees in Imo State, we are also supporting this Charter of Equity endorsed by the Imo Elders Council. We are also endorsing it on our own,” he said.
Nzenwata Francis Iheanacho, former Chairman, Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU), said the Charter of Equity is good, but it does not replace “a performing governor”.
“It is always good for power to rotate but it has to be properly arranged. So that Charter of Equity cannot displace the person there now who is performing very well. After his second tenure, another zone can take it up,” Iheanacho said.
Ifeanyi Nwanguma, Chairman, Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Imo State Council, said the Charter of Equity is in order, but it should wait till 2028.
“The governor is doing very well. So it is wrong to change a good player in the middle of the game. Let him complete his second term, then the power shifts to Owerri Zone as stated by the Imo Elders Council. So I think they should encourage him to have a second term. Then the power will go to Owerri Zone. After Owerri, it will come to Okigwe,” he said.
Others, including Uche Chigaemezu Nwigwe, Chairman, Nigerian Civil Service Union; Mrs. Ngozi Nnani, Chairperson, National Union of Hotel and Personnel Services Workers, Imo State; Umukoro Marvis Udechukwu, President, National Association of Imo State Students; and Philip Nwansi, Acting Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress, Imo State, echoed similar sentiments.
