- But Owerri Zone should be Cautious, guided not to deny themselves this Golden opportunity Governor Hope Uzodimma has endorsed for them
This piece of article is like a commendation note to a people that have done well. Yes! The president generals of all the autonomous communities in the twelve local government areas of Orlu zone, otherwise called the Imo West senatorial zone have expressed their desire and openness for peace, fairness and justice in Imo State. It is not just an empty expression, it is an expression backed with the zeal, sincerity, action and benevolence. In actual fact, every peace-loving Imolite should all clap for the president generals of autonomous communities in Orlu zone for this bold statement.
Let me not sound immodest if I project the Orlu zone as the pinnacle of development in Imo State. Judging from the happenings especially under the governance of the present administration being led by Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, the long expected political harmony is about to be birthed which would automatically crystalize triumph and jubilation in the State. To toe the good gestures and projections for peace, development and harmonious relationships among the three brotherly zones of the State as enunciated by no other person than the Governor himself, another Orlu Zone unified body, the PGs have reaffirmed His Excellency’s bold move. This is indeed the Orlu Zone example of a good brother.
An American author, H. Jackson Brown, Jr. in one of his classical quotes says “the best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today.” Therefore, both Governor Hope Uzodimma and the people of Orlu Zone are preparing their tomorrow today so that the best would come. Their vision today is to have a smooth political transition that would see the three senatorial zones of Orlu, Owerri and Okigwe seamlessly climbing to the governorship leader of the State as at when due without acrimony, rancour, fighting and back-slapping. That is the way to go: for peace building, fairness, justice and equity.
I stumbled into an art print hung on a wall somewhere with the inscription: “Well done is better than well said”, inspired by the timeless wisdom of Benjamin Franklin. This captivating piece combines the power of words with the beauty of typography, creating a visual masterpiece that will ignite ones motivation and inspire action. This also captures the essence of the Governor’s inspiration when he wisely endorsed the “Imo charter of equity” as its full implementation would remind us that yes indeed his word and action has transcended into reality of enye ndi ebe, enye ndi ebe, ogbu alaa! (Live and let live syndrome).
To continuously put us in the right track of the Governor’s inspired wisdom, I suggest we hang this art print in the office, study, or any space where someone seeks inspiration. Its bold presence will serve as a constant reminder to go beyond mere words and strive for excellence in everything we do. Whether you’re a politician, an entrepreneur, a student, or a dreamer with big aspirations, this print will fuel your drive and propel you towards success.
Back to my rider “Owerri Zone should be Cautious, guided not to Deny Themselves this Golden opportunity Governor Hope Uzodimma has Endorsed for them”, may sound as a wise advice, it is also inspirational to remind the Owerri zone that the ball is in their cut. This is the opportune time to show greater appreciation and support to Governor Hope Uzodimma. As the impending beneficiary of this wise political calculation, Owerri zone political leaders need to ensure that the governor’s support to realize this noble dream is not jeopardized. The governor putting paid to his vow and commitment expresses great sacrifice whose imprints would remain permanently in the anals of history of the State.
Therefore, the leaders of Owerri zone be it the Imo Harmony Project (IHP), the Trinity Owerri Political Consultative Assembly (Trinity OPOCA) or any other sub political groups whose soul aim it is to realize the Governor’s tenet of Imo charter of equity by shifting the governorship to Owerri zone in 2027 should put their houses in order right now. We all agree that power is not given on a platter of gold, it is rather negotiated, grabbed, technically arranged, etc. In a nutshell, the Owerri zone leaders should not cease to massage the ego of the governor, impress him, hail him, be at his side always and NOT to stab him on the back.
At this point, it is necessary to remind us that Governor Hope Uzodimma is not the originator of Imo Charter of Equity. The Imo charter of equity was conceived by the Imo Elders Council with His Majesty, Eze Cletus Ilomuanya (also from Orlu zone) as its Chairman. The genesis of the charter as initiated by the Elders Council and ratified by the generality of Imo stakeholders has as its purpose: to bring peace, justice, equity and above all, the needed security in the State. Furthermore, the Imo State House of Assembly passed a resolution, endorsing the Charter of Equity “as a roadmap towards political stability, peace and inclusiveness of all the zones in Imo State.”
The governor on his final receipt of the clean copy of the document assured that his administration will 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.”
Again, when the document was initially presented to the Governor at the Government House, Owerri in April 2023, he did not only express joy but quickly reiterated that nothing on earth would stop the full implementation of the document.
The governor said, “The charter of equity will remove tension and acrimony. We convinced ourselves. We looked at it, and that charter of equity is happening in other states (including our neighbouring States). They make sure that governorship goes from one zone to the other. I do not doubt that my successor will be produced by the Imo charter of equity.
“The confidence reposed on me is very huge. And I will make sure I do not disappoint Imolites. I am committed to making sure that after me, the next governor will come from Owerri zone (Imo East). Thereafter it will move to the Okigwe zone (Imo North).”
He, however, called on the members of the Imo State Council of Elders to work together to ensure the full implementation of the Charter while assuring that his government would use its machinery to defend the document and ensure its implementation to the latter.
Consolidating the endorsement Governor Uzodimma had given to the Charter of Equity, a congregation of Imo Elders, traditional rulers (NdiEze), leaders of religious bodies, professionals, presidents general of town unions, women and youth groups, etc had an interdenominational service where the Charter of Equity was handed over to God. This special event took place at the popular Ndubuisi Kanu Square.
Already, the implementation of Imo charter of equity started in 2023 with the second term of Governor Uzodimma from Orlu zone. Therefore, going by the contents of the document, by 2027, the Owerri zone gets it turn and thereafter it moves to Okigwe Zone. So longer as governor Uzodimma from Orlu Zone took the first shot, he is duty bound to stand by his talk not to rock the boat. It is no rocket science but a truism. After all, the Governor has not disappointed Imolites. He has remained a hardworking governor judging by quality roads and other developmental infrastructure he has to his credit. His national and international political exposure have also paved way for him to leave a remarkable imprint as well as installing a capable successor from Owerri zone.
The usual fight among the Owerri zone during governorship race ought to be thrown into the dustbin. The time for seriousness and telling ourselves the home truth is now. We should eschew the bitterness that always associates when it is time for governorship consideration: “It mustn’t be an Mbaise, it mustn’t be an Owerri Federal Constituency, it mustn’t be an Ngor Okpala, it mustn’t be an Mbaike. But it must be an Owerri zone person. No matter the sub-zone the Governorship is coming from among these areas, it is an Owerri zone ticket. Therefore, the people of the zone must guard jealously this opportunity that beckons on them.
While still commending the Orlu zone president generals of the autonomous communities in the twelve local governments, it is also important to remind the Okigwe and Owerri zones president generals of autonomous communities to emulate the Orlu Zone by reaffirming and consolidating the decision of governor Hope Uzodimma on the tenet of the Imo charter of equity. Recall that sometimes last year (2024), the traditional rulers of the Orlu, Owerri and Okigwe Zones in their respective communiques had endorsed the Imo charter of equity. In the same vein, the religious groups and their leaders also converged at Ndubuisi Kanu Square (former Heros Square) to stamp the Imo charter of equity by committing it to God.
The entire Imolites and particularly, the Owerri zone will ever remain grateful to God for the person of the People’s Governor, Hope Uzodimma to ensure peace, justice and equity in Imo State by finding his successor in Owerri zone come 2027. To God be the glory.
