Imo state, like every other state of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has just three senatorial districts of unequal delimitations namely; Imo West (Orlu Senatorial zone), Imo East (Owerri senatorial zone) and Imo North (Okigwe Senatorial zone).
Orlu zone has a total of twelve (12) Local Government Areas, Owerri zone has Nine (9) while Okigwe zone has only six (6) bringing the total number of Local Government Areas to Twenty-Seven (27).
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Sometime in 1991; precisely the 9thof June at the Iwuanyanwu Glass House located at the Ugwuorji area of Owerri the capital city of Imo state, elders of the state gathered and recommended that for equity, fairness and justice, democratic processes regarding to the office of the Executive Governor of Imo state shall be by rotational.
Some notable elders from Owerri zone who attended that meeting and appended their signatures to the agreement included Chief Engr. E.C Iwuanyanwu, Chief Evan Enwerem, Dr. J.C Odunna, Barr. B.S.C Nzenwa, Chief Onyenso Nwachukwu, Chief R.O Onyenobi, Chief B.A Nwanne, Prof. Roland Anyanwu, Dr. F.U Ukoha, Barr. R.C Azuatalam, Chief Engr. R.O Ugorji. Dr. A.C Ohashiegbula and Chief Mrs Maria Eke.
Okigwe zone had Chief Sen. Emeka Echeruo, Chief Sir T.I Ozoemena, Dr. E.J.K Onyebuchi, Chief Tony C. Emeruom, Sen. B.C Agunanne, Chief Zeph Philips Nwosu, Chief Frances Anamekwe, Hon. Amaefula Ikoro, Mrs. Pat Ogueri, Prince C. Orike, Chief C.C Iwuala and Sir. O.U Ugochukwu.
Others from Orlu zone at that extra-ordinary convention were Chief Dr. B.U Nzeribe, Sen. Alhaji N. Maduagwu, Chief Walter Ofonagoro, Chief Anyaim Acholonu, Chief Greg Mbadiwe, Chief Peter Mgbenewelu, Prince S.O Ukadike, Chief S.B.N Emejuru, Sir Obed Umelo, Chief R.O Ofoma, Nze Laz Ohakwe, Dr. Otuokere Njaka and Chief R.O Okoro.
The Charter of Equity as agreed resolved that power and ascendency to the position of Imo governor be rotated among the three zones of the new Imo (Abia state was just carved out then), beginning from Owerri zone by “merit”. “Merit” as quoted in the understanding implied that every zone be allowed to serve out its tenure and allow the next to start on “merit” without aspirants or contenders from other zones.
This was the agreement. This was the understanding and premise on which the new Imo was built upon, with the sole aim of reducing heat, pressure, and unnecessary crises as are currently the case in Imo during guber elections. The agreement resolved that Owerri be allowed to start while Orlu and Okigwe followed respectively. Owerri actually took its turn till the end of that political era through Chief Evan Enwerem.
Neither Okigwe nor Orlu zone opposed the zone’s reign.
Owerri people have not even ruled under a democratic setting. Evan Enwerem ruled under the military which was only for a period of 18 months (one year and six months). And this made Owerri Zone bring up the agitation of marginalisation in the governorship equation of Imo State. Owerri people in recent times have alleged that they have been shortchanged and that it is their turn now to produce the governor of the state in 2019.
This agitation from the Zone is not new in Imo, but the strategy has remained the same. Despite the unchanging strategy, Owerri Zone has not been able to identify the right channel or route to hold down their claims, while some political stakeholders from the Zone believe that if all roads lead to the same place, then they should have more cause to worry.
It is unfortunate that despite their large size (9 local governments) and strategic position, Owerri Zone has remained weighed down by disunity, blackmail, backstabbing, and the pull-him-down syndrome.
These characters among brothers do not enhance their welfare but diminish their collective efforts to a common goal, because they quickly build fear and distrust instead of enhancing confidence and fortitude.
For the sake of equity and justice, Owerri Zone should have their time. Since 1998, Owerri is the state capital and they have not produced a governor for IMO.
This is the time for the elders of Owerri zone to act with wisdom. Most times after the party primaries, those defeated will run to other political parties to try their political strength. The whole candidates are qualified but one person must emerge and must be supported. In 2015 the same thing played out and Owerri zone did not manifest maturity and love for the highly trumpeted chatter of equity.
In their own interest come 2023, it would be both beneficial to them and the whole of Imo state if they can actually settle down to put their differences aside and find the right candidate for the job because failure to do so would see to the collapse of the 1991 agreement and subsequently orderly politics in Imo state.
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