Imo State governor, Hope Uzodimma, has promised that his administration would help to religiously implement the recent Imo State Charter of Equity as proposed and endorsed by the Imo State Council of Elders.
Uzodimma made the promise when members of the Imo State Council of Elders paid him a visit to formally present to him a communique from their first quarterly meeting of April 13, 2023 in Owerri with regard to the Imo State Charter of Equity.
The Elders Council also used the opportunity to present to the governor their choice, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, as replacement for the late President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Prof George Obiozor.
Governor Uzodimma, who received the Elders, thanked them for proposing and adopting the Charter of Equity which, according to him, “is a road map towards political stability, peace and inclusiveness of all the zones in Imo State”.
Uzodimma promised to help to ensure the Imo Charter of Equity was applied to the letter, saying he was convinced it would ensure equity, help douse political tensions and ensure peace.
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, 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.
“The Charter of Equity is not intended to muzzle the political ambition of any person, rather it is to ensure harmony, peace and it will enlarge the political space for all,” Uzodimma said.
He assured that his administration would work with the Elders Council and other Imo State stakeholders to achieve the principles of the Charter of Equity.
He pleaded with all political stakeholders to endeavour to give the Charter of Equity the space to succeed, noting that “it does not in any way go against the tenets of democracy”.
“Beyond the South East, like in the South South Delta State, the Charter of Equity has been adopted and implemented to reduce political tensions and bickering,” he said.
He reassured that with him at the helm of the Imo 3R Government, he would do everything possible to ensure the objective of the Imo State Charter of Equity as adopted by the Elders Council was realized, adding that “it has enough space to accommodate all political interests in peace and harmony”.
Earlier, Chairman of the Imo State Council of Elders, Eze Cletus Ilomuanya, explained that the Imo Charter of Equity, unanimously adopted by the Council, “is a panacea to the rancour and heat usually associated with the quest for the governorship seat of Imo State”.
“It is to ensure peace, equity, fairness and justice to all the political zones in the state,” he said.
Present during the visit were the Imo State Deputy Governor, Prof. Placid Njoku, Secretary to the State Government, Chief Cosmas Iwu, Chief of Staff, Barr. Nnamdi Anyaehie, and Members of the Expanded Executive Council.
Others were the Chairman, Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, HRM Eze (Dr.) Emmanuel Okeke, and his two deputies, HRH Eze Eddy Okeke and HRH Eze Thomas Obiefule of Okigwe zone and Orlu zone, respectively.
