2028 IMO GOVERNOR: THE IMPERATIVE OF A POWER SHIFT TO OWERRI ZONE AND THE BURDEN OF TRUTH

_MAY EQUITY NOT SUFFER WRONG TO BE WITHOUT REMEDY & THE IMPACT OF IMO HARMONY PROJECT_

By Hon Emma Nnadi

_Sat. Nov. 9th 2024_

_Vol III...._

Going by the unwritten but well-heeled practice of rotating Imo governorship position among three various senatorial zones since 1999, it will appear to be invidious or unfair for the practice to be abandoned midway or before it runs full of ordained course, on the basis of certain gratuitous reasoning or imbalance, chief among which is this phony-merit criterion underdiscus.

Unfortunately, the Owerri Senatorial Zone is the only zone in the circle, yet to produce a governor even if it's one term, even as per the arrangement. 

This state-appeal prescription for rotation, though not a stipulation of the Constitution of the Federal Republic or of the extant electoral law is happily commonly shared by the state's major zonal political structures, not-minding as it is envisioned by jokers as a stablising plank.

Ostensibly, many misguided statements have ignored this salutary requirement to remain faithful to the necessity to preserve Imo, having exposed intermidiatly the paradox of selective dictatorship, sometimes an overbearing judicial pronouncements  and or external influence/authority possessing near-absolute powers, regrettably not theoretical but able to exercise them in practice. No blame apportioned and a discus for another day.

However, this general disaffecting action with the way our state is run is the reason for the expressed or muffled zonal agitations. Owerri Zone have shouted themselves hoarse for the enthronement of an enabling environment for relieving the state’s recurrent political, social and economic equity and unbalancing difficulties. 

But a profound understanding of the underpinnings of the circumstances inhibiting Imo’s progress or forward movement is evinced in the report of *Imo Elders Council's _Charter Of Equity_*

This charter and *Imo Harmony Project's Position* have presented us with a working document/road map that is development or people-oriented; that abjures a tripartite calculus or rotational Senatorial Zone's control or a sectarian ambush of the polity; that spreads general wellbeing; that is reflective of our desire to truthfully bear the sobriquet or appellation “The Eastern Heartland”  – a truly heart shaped. ❤️ 📐

The adoption of many of the documents’ thrust is sure to relieve the present objective political demands or the pervasive sense of angst. 

Honestly, the attitude of the *Sen Hope Uzodinma's government to Imo Charter Of Equitys' report* so far is however very helpful, having promised to hand over to an *Imo Governor of Owerri zone extraction* after years of prolonged suffering in the wilderness of probable choices.

Unfortunately, certain observed foibles or failings in character of some political leaders of the Owerri Senatorial zone are being mischievously touted as valid reasons for denying or refusing the zone its deserved slot. We, Ndi Owerri prefer to be referred to in apparent deference to our proverbial communal spirit, unfortunately, we have yet to appreciate or recognise spiritual accoutrement as key to Imo Douglas House ordination. This empirical attitude finds expression in many issues of social, inter-personal and spiritual implications respecting my people.

Obviously, under the arrangement for rotational or zoned governorship, ORLU may be properly deemed to have had more than their fair slice of the cake. A 2-term of Chief Chike Udenwa, followed by an 8-year of Owelle Rochas Okorocha, and pre-tunately Sen. Hope Uzodinma's 8years will appear to have sealed the chances of aspirants from that zone. Many such aspirants from that zone however, appear not to be persuaded of the unfairness of their ambition even iwithvregards to 2028. 

Happily, ORLU Zuru-me (their undisputable socio-political organization) has through its alter-ego leadership consistently drawn attention to the contrariness of avowed sense of justice and fair play of the Orlu people, the bid of persons of Orlu extraction against 2028 gubernatorial race. Such a bid, Orlu Zuru-me has clearly stated, is immoral, unfair and it's oppositional relationship to Imo political stability.

Moving Forward, in the light of a subsisting rotational arrangement. Orlu Zuru-me has insisted that its position draws largely from the cherished values of Orlu, regarding accommodation, fellow feeling and a profound sense of justice which is understood not in an abstract sense but as being in accordance with the common sentiment of mankind, and this replica is unfolding in Okigwe Zone too.

Shamefully, some political gladiators may however not see morality in an institutional disenfranchisement “which constricts the exercise of constitutional rights”. To them, Equity, Fairness, Zoning is an aberration which they observe has limited applicability or is of doubtful binding-ness. They have vaingloriously cited a time in Imo  recent history when equity was in Owerri Zone's favour or of atoning for whatever reason Owelle Rochas Okorocha was supported, the political geometric equation of Emeka Ihedioha's... and accusing Owerri of ambushed supportability of Sen. Hope Uzodinma.

Superimposed, they disavow the argument that it is the turn of Owerri yet, insisting that such a position is unsustainable as Owerri do not suffer any systemic disability and so have no right to claim, or should not be conferred with any, to constrict other Senatorial Zones rights of contest. 😭

These academicist critics are using reverse psychology on *Imo Charter Of Equitys'* position, clearly ignores the palpable existential threat to our common brotherhood even as it vainly raises a dialectical query of conscience. The burden of truth moving forward, we should have no difficulty in upholding our sense of fairness or justice enshrined in the reasoned establishment of the zoning template in the first place. 

Finally, it is impossible to overstate the complete danger with which Imo State will be faced in the event of an indecorous repudiation of this time-honoured values of propriety, fairness, civility, and good breeding this three sister zones enjoyed over time.

Honestly, I commend *Imo Harmony Project* because only a strong awakening, awareness of future impending dangers can explain the Manichean perception of any political party or zonal/sociocultural groups opposition to IMO CHARTER OF EQUITY. The complexities and contradictions in the abandonment of this policy framework that has politically steadied Imo shouldn't be slaughtered on the alter of sentiments.

May 2028 be a redemption for an inclusive Imo State and may all men of good conscience speak out, support and align with *Imo Charter Of Equity*

*Hon Emma Nnadi* _writes from Inyishi Ikeduru LGA, Imo State_