It is no longer news that Senator Hope Uzodimma had before his second term election into the office as the Governor of Imo State promised to resuscitate Imo State Charter of Equity, which had long been abandoned as a result of indiscipline and selfishness of politicians.
Most Imo State Intelligentsia while applauding the Governor for his will to return rotational principle to the governance of the State, fret over the self serving interests of some of the political merchants in Owerri Zone in particular, which might also scuttle the begging opportunity. This is a project for which one of the patriots of Imo Polity, Chief Mike Nwachukwu has been championing like the John the Baptist.
In the same vein, the Executive Secretary of Imo Progressive Movement, Dr. Promise Onyewuchim has also written a letter to the Chairman of Imo State Council of Elders, HRM, Eze Ilomuanya, going on memory lane to relive the injustice that has pervaded Imo Polity.
Read the Letter Below as obtained by NewsTrack Nigeria.
INTRODUCTION
Imo Progressive Movement is a Non Religious and Non Governmental Organization.
It is a Socio-Political Interest Group that Preaches as well as Promotes Fairness , Justice,Equity and Politics Without Bitterness .
Imo Progressive Movement is neither affiliated to any political party nor attached to any individual politician but will always stand for the Truth, Fairness and Equity Irrespective of Party, Religious or Social Status .
HRM Eze Cletus.I.Ilomuanya
The Chairman,
Imo State Council Of Elders,
State Secretariat ,
New Owerri , Imo State.
Your Majesty Sir,
RE: IMO CHARTER OF EQUITY ; LET FAIRNESS, EQUITY AND JUSTICE PREVAIL
I respectfully make the following presentations on behalf of the above named group for your esteemed council’s considerations.
Before proceeding further, i will not hesitate to thank as well as appreciate our hardworking and amiable Executive Governor , Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodinma and the entire leadership and members of Imo state council of elders for coming out with this thoughtful doctrine called Imo Charter Of Equity which aims are to reduce as well as ease out tensions and acrimonies among the three competing zones of our state.
Imo Charter Of Equity is a Noble idea and if implemented on the basis of Fairness , Justice and Equity will Harmonize as well as Unite our people irrespective of political affiliations.
“PEOPLE DON’T DEFEND WHAT IS RIGHT ANYMORE,THEY DEFEND WHO THEY LIKE”- Pizaro1817-1897.
The above quote unfortunately is the true reality in our polity.
It is very embarrassing and indeed regrettable that Imo State the Heartbeat of Igbo land which ordinarily should set the pace for other Igbo speaking states to follow is still embroiled in issues of rotations and inclusiveness.
As the Pioneer Secretary of SOUTHEAST PEOPLE’S ASSEMBLY (SEPA) under the leadership of Ide Dr.Alex Ekwueme with Okwadike Dr. Ezeife as coordinator (***Please Note that our father and leader Chief E.C Iwuanyanwu has been a foundation member of SEPA just like Chief Garry Igariwe, Chief Nnia and Dr.Okwesilieze Nwodo, Prof. Obiozor, then serving governors of the southeast region ,etc were all very active members of SEPA. Infact , it was SEPA that gave birth to SOUTHERN NIGERIA PEOPLE’S ASSEMBLY SNPA that comprised South South and Southwest).
Our leader Dr. Alex Ekwueme came up with the idea of Anambra State Governorship Power Sharing Formula in 2002 a little before Dr. C.C.Mbadinuju lost out his second term reelection bid.
This noble idea worked in Anambra in stabilizing the polity after the exit of Dr. Mbadinuju in 2003 and other Southeast states including Imo State willingly adopted it as can be seen below.
THE FOLLOWINGS ARE DETAILED GOVERNORSHIP ROTATIONS IN ALL THE SOUTHEAST STATES FROM 1999 TO DATE.
A.ABIA STATE EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION OF GOVERNORSHIP POSITIONS FROM 1999-DATE.
- H.E. Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, from Igbere- Bende in Abia North 1999-2007
- H.E. Sen. T. A Orji from Ibeku Umuahia, Abia Central 2007-2015
- H.E. Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu from Umuobiakpa in Obingwa, Abia South 2015-2023
- H.E Dr. Alex Otti (Incumbent governor)from Aruchukwu, Abia North 2023-Date. NOTE THAT POWER HAS GONE ROUND ALL THE THREE SENATORIAL ZONES AND NOW CAME BACK TO ABIA NORTH WHERE IT STARTED FROM IN 1999
B. ANAMBRA STATE EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION OF GOVERNORSHIP POSITIONS.
- H.E. Dr. C.C. Mbadinuju from Uli-Ihiala, Anambra South 1999-2003.
(The argument and justification for Odera’s one term tenure among others was because the Anambra South had earlier produced a governor under the military era in the person of Okwadike Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife from Igboukwu in Anambra South! So in 1999 ndi Anambra state had insisted that Mbadinuju or anyother person from Anambra South MUST DO ONLY ONE TERM IN OFFICE. So when Dr. Mbadinuju ended his ONE TERM IN OFFICE AS GOVERNOR, POWER SEAMLESSLY MOVED FROM ANAMBRA SOUTH TO ANAMBRA CENTRAL).
2(a).H.E Dr. Chris Ngige from Alor in Idemili, Anambra Central 2003-2006.
N/B
I deliberately included Sen. Dr. Chris Ngige’s period even though his tenure as governor Never Existed before the law just to show how serious and committed Anambrarians are towards Equitable Governorship Distribution in their state.
2(b). H.E. Mr. Peter Obi from Agulu, Anambra Central, 2006-2014.
The victory of Peter obi against Dr. Chris Ngige heralded the off season election in Anambra state.
Peter obi from same SENATORIAL zone took over from Dr. Ngige, thus Maintaining The Governorship Power Sharing Formula Of Their State!
- H.E Chief Willie Obiano from Aguleri, Anambra North from 2014-2022.
- H.E Prof. C .C. Soludo from Isuofia in Aguata Anambra South,2022-Date.(Presently, majority of those challenging Governor Soludo’s reelection are from his own zone Not Outside His Anambra South Zone!)
C. EBONYI STATE EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION OF GOVERNORSHIP POSITIONS FROM 1999-DATE
1.Dr. Sam Ominyi Egwu from Ebonyi North governed from 1999-2007.
- Martin Elechi from Ebonyi Central took over from Sen. Egwu and governed from 2007-2015
- Engr. David Umahi from Ebonyi South governed from 2015-2023.
- Rt. Hon. Lawrence Nwifuru, Ebonyi North, 2023-DATE.* POWER HAS GONE BACK TO EBONYI NORTH WHERE IT STARTED FROM IN 19999*
D. ENUGU STATE EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION OF GOVERNORSHIP POSITIONS FROM 1999-DATE.
1.Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani,Enugu East 1999 – 2007.
2.Mr.Sullivan Chime, Enugu West 2007 – 2015.
(Governor Sullivan was put and infact subjected to so much pressure from within and outside Enugu State to pave way for then Deputy Senate President, Sen. Ike Ekweremadu from same Enugu West to succeed him but both Governor Sullivan Chime and Enugu State Elders/Leaders RESISTED and COUNTERED all the moves to disrupt as well as distort the Enugu State Equitable Governorship Distribution).
3.Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Enugu North- 2015 -2023.
4.Barr. Peter Mbah,Enugu East,2023-DATE .
NOTE AGAIN THAT POWER HAS GONE ROUND ALL THE THREE SENATORIAL ZONES AND NOW CAME BACK TO ENUGU EAST WHERE IT ALL BEGAN IN 1999
E. IMO STATE EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION OF GOVERNORSHIP POSITIONS FROM 1999-DATE.
- H.E. Chief Achike Udenwa, Orlu Senatorial Zone,1999-2007.
- H.E. Dr. Ikedi Ohakim, Okigwe Senatorial Zone,2007-2011.
- H. E. Sen. Rochas Okorocha, Orlu Senatorial Zone,2011- 2019.
(* This was the beginning of the distortion of a harmonious equitable governorship distribution in Imo State) - Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, Owerri Zone 2019-2020.
Again just like was the case of Sen. Chris Ngige, i deliberately included Hon. Ihedioha’s period even though it never existed before the law just to show how the equitable distribution of governorship distribution in Imo State was further violated after Governor Rochas Okorocha had set the disruptive pace - H. E. Sen. Hope Uzodinma, Orlu Senatorial Zone,2020- DATE.
THE WAY FORWARD/RECOMMENDATION.
WHOEVER GOES TO EQUITY MUST COME WITH CLEAN HANDS.
In view of the foregoing and considering the fact that Imo State is not only the Heartbeat of Igboland but also its Light Bearer, therefore it has become very necessary and indeed pertinent for our leaders and indeed Ndimo to revisit the governorship zoning formular that was disrupted in 2011.
Ndimo cannot be condemning the marginalization of Ndigbo at the national level especially as it concerns producing Onye-Igbo as the President of this country when we live with the same injustice and marginalization with us.
By 2027 when our Governor Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodinma by God’s Grace will end his second term of office Orlu Zone would have held that position for 24 Years!
As a people we have to correct this mistake and abnormality now by allowing Okigwe Zone to complete their tenure of Four(4)years after which it goes to Owerri Zone.
His Excellency, our amiable Governor Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodinma as a gentleman that he is should be supported and encouraged to do the needful by ensuring that Okigwe Zone takes over from him in 2027.
Imo Elders/Leaders and our Governor Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodinma should RESIST AND REJECT ALL PRESSURES just as Governor Sullivan Chime did in 2015 at Enugu State.
CONCLUSIONS;
Forget Ye Not The Past That The Present May Not Be Far From Thee -Angelum IsKris 1875-1904.
Imo Elders Council along with our amiable Executive Governor should persuade and appeal to the conscience of our Orlu brethren by discouraging them from making any attempt to Douglas House in 2027.
Orlu and Owerri Zones should support and encourage Okigwe Zone to complete their remaining Four (4) years at Douglas House by 2027 after which Owerri Zone takes over.
The Most Viable, as well as Only Option to this therefore is for Dr. Ikedi Ohakim who is Constitutionally Limited to ONLY Four (4) years in office to be allowed to complete his second.
Any other person from Okigwe Zone should not be supported or encouraged.
The shortest route for Nde Owerri Zone to Douglas House is from Okigwe Zone through Dr. Ikedi Ohakim that has already been limited by the constitution .
Let us forget our differences and stand for the Truth, Fairness and Equity.
This is the time for all of us to forget our personal, zonal and clannish interets .
POSTERITY WILL JUDGE US ALL .
Finally your Majesty, with all sense of humility i thank you and your members in advance while hoping for your utmost considerations .
Please accept the assurances of our high esteem.
Yours faithfully,
Dr. Promise. N. Onyewuchim
Executive Secretary (IGM)
