By Tony .F. Ihudike
The raging and sustained debate over the orchestrated Imo Charter of Equity has continued to ruffle feathers and polarize the Imo political space on the rational or otherwise of imposing charter of equity, a system many perceive to contradict basic democratic tents in a participatory democracy like ours’.However,despite this cynicism,a second and indeed cursory look at the whole idea behind the canvassed power sharing initiative as endorsed by the Imo Council of Elders, tends to provide a sound argument for building a new Imo State that should be anchored on equity,truth, fairness,love, shared prosperity, equal participation and partnership.
It is indisputable that to get Imo truly working,there should be a true spirit of brotherhood, reconciliation and forward looking.The elders and authors of this equity Agenda obviously meant well considering the fact that Orlu zone has since the return of our nascent democracy in 1999 produced three Governors who would have spent a total of twenty four years out of the 28 years of our fourth Republic by the time Senator Uzodimma completes his second tenure in 2027.For purposes of clarity,Orlu zone has within the specified period produced the thrio of Chief Achike Udenwa(1999-2007), Chief Rochas Okorocha(2011-2019) and the incumbent Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma(2020-2028).Meanwhile out of the 28 years, Owerri and Okigwe zones were able to produce the duo of Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha(2019-2020) and Dr Ikedi Ohakim(2007-2011) who spent seven months and four years respectively.It is therefore expected and understandable that a genuine clamour to balance the lopsided political equation for the sake of peaceful coexistence is tenable and logical.
While the majority of right thinking Imo persons align with this noble initiative of laying durable political foundation for power rotation in the state, the building consensus is that both marginalised zones of Okigwe and Owerri should be considered at equal basis instead of narrowing it specifically down to Owerri zone for whatever reasons that are being adduced by the proponents of Owerri zone as the supposed beneficiary of the iconic Charter of Equity initiative.The two zones of Okigwe and Owerri should be thoroughly placed on the weighing scale devoid of sentiment for a more clinical and critical appraisal of each zone’s viability or otherwise to qualify for ceding of the Imo APC Governorship slot.
The Imo APC which is the ruling party and at whose instance the idea of the Charter was conceived is expected to play smart and thorough so that it doesn’t succumb to unfounded political pressure and sentiment that might cost its continued stay in power.As a bona-fide APC member of Orlu zone extraction,what matters to me is how our great party can navigate through the murky waters of Imo politics and produce the next Governor of the State from either Owerri or Okigwe zone.As this search goes on, there is need for objectivity to dig out the zone among them which parades unanimity of political purpose and more cohesive antecedents in offering bloc votting pattern to deliver our party in the face of seriously organised political opposition.
The Charter of Equity is the brainchild and baby of Senator Uzodimma and his APC Government and as a ruling party what matters most is how to win the election and allowing itself stampeded by opposition elements who are pushing hard to inherit our inheritance.APC will consider between Owerri and Okigwe zone which is better organized to deliver their block vote and to get this properly done, emphatic scrutiny should be placed on past and present electoral performances.So, on this note,the first probing question that deserves urgent answer is: between Owerri and Okigwe which of them is an APC compliant zone? This shall throw light on what each of the zones stand for and why the ruling party should cede it’s gubernatorial ticket to one of them and why any of the zones does not deserve to have the ticket of the party gambled to them?
While this thought provoking debate rages on,it is pertinent to point out that as an ordinary Imo person, especially one that is politically conscious and exposed,not necessarily as an interested party,one that would want my party APC to retain power post Governor Uzodimma ,there are about two major reasons I see that may persuade my party,APC not to field an Owerri person come 2027.Firstly, the Charter of Equity was already documented and was so well celebrated before the Imo Governorship election of November,11,2023 and Ndi Owerri were already holding claim to taking power after Onwa,but that didn’t reflect in their votes in that election.With their 9 Local Government Areas Ndi-Owerri could muster only about 91,000 votes,Orlu did more than two times the Owerri figure,but Okigwe with only 6 Local Government Areas did 131,000,so between Owerri and Okigwe who supported Onwa more in that election?
Secondly,as we match close to the 2027 Guber election about three opposition parties are clearly poised to have Owerri candidates on the ballot as follows: ADC would likely have Emeka Ihedioha from Aboh Mbaise,APP will most likely have Mazi Chima Amadi from Ngor Okpala, PDP would most likely field Samdaddy Anyanwu from Ikeduru and that shows how already divided Owerri is ahead of the election.
Considering all these imminent hiccups knowing full well how clanish and sectional our people from Owerri zone usually are,so these three persons above, especially the first two would definitely be voted for massively by their people and means that the votes of some Council Areas in the zone have been shared among key opposition figures with nothing left for the ruling APC in such places.
Again,under this unfriendly political atmosphere, would it be wise for our party,APC to still domicile our ticket in this over crowded Owerri, only to now rely on votes from Okigwe and Orlu to see him through.
Also, with the popularity of the three opposition party Candidates mentioned above especially within their local Government Areas, and what they have been able to do so far in pushing through their gubernatorial ambition,is there any very popular person from Owerri zone,our party APC can field that has the ability, popularity and capacity to defeat these other three in Governorship election in Owerri zone in particular?
So why would our party field an Owerri candidate and now rely on votes from Okigwe and Orlu to see the party through?
It will be utterly counterproductive and foolish for APC to think of fielding an Owerri person that will fail woefully to standout in a heated political contest with other opposition candidates in his zone.Owerri zone is the hub of discordant opposition forces that are only United against APC as a common enemy.Their voters will patronize those opposition champions that are more of sectional bigots that enjoy the local support and solidarity. This implies that ceding APC Guber ticket to Owerri zone will be politically calamatitous and disasterous .The best bet for Imo APC is to go to Okigwe zone which is a bloc- APC region with no divided political loyalty or affiliation and pick a vibrant young generational leader with cognite political exposure and experience to fly the APC flag.Anything short of this route will be highly regretted as a political suicide!
