Irked by the high level of political marginalization in Imo State, a socio-political interest group in the state, the Imo Progressive Movement, has made a case for the Okigwe zone of the state to be allowed to produce the next governor in 2027.

In Imo state, there are three geo-political zones, namely: Owerri, Orlu and Okigwe, otherwise called the “3 Os.”

IPM made this call in a letter addressed to the Chairman of the Imo State Council of Elders, His Royal Highness Eze Cletus Ilomuanya.

The letter, entitled ‘Imo Charter of Equity: Let Fairness, Equity and Justice Prevail,’ was signed by IPM’s Executive Secretary, Dr. Promise Onyewuchim.

Onyewuchim, a lecturer at the University of Abuja and an indigene of Owerri North Local Government Area, outlined how South-East states rigidly ensured the workability of the charter of equity on power sharing in the state.

The group pointed out that even when attempts were made to disrupt power rotation in Enugu and Anambra states, their elders and leaders stamped their feet down to ensure that equity was strictly adhered to.

The IPM noted that the Charter of Equity was operational in Imo from Chief Achike Udenwa from Orlu geopolitical zone to Dr. Ikedi Ohakim of the Okigwe zone, only for Owelle Rochas Okorocha to disrupt it in 2011.

The group added that an attempt to restore the state on the path of fairness in power-sharing was again torpedoed in 2020 when Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha of Owerri zone was sacked for Senator Hope Uzodimma, another Orlu zone indigene to take over the governorship seat.

It said that Orlu had been there for 24 years, Okigwe four years while Owerri spent seven months in the present democratic dispensation.

The group in the letter, therefore pleaded with the Council of Elders and leaders of the state to prevail on Orlu people not to angle for Imo gubernatorial seat in 2027 and back Okigwe zone to produce Uzodimma’s successor.

It submitted that the only and best option was to allow Ohakim to complete the second term of his tenure in office, stressing that any other person from the zone (Okigwe) should not be supported for the governorship seat.

It said, “Ohakim, so far is the best option to be allowed to complete eight years in office after which it goes to Owerri since the other three governors from Orlu completed 8 years each in the present democratic dispensation.” (Daily Sun)

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