The National President Of Okigwzurumee Worldwide, Dr. Atuegbu Charles ( Ngbadike Okigwe), thank the Governor of Imo state on his infrastructure development in Imo state, thanking him for supporting Equity for endorsing his name in the chronicle “book” of record in Imo State.
Ngbadike Okigwe, Says all the states in the Southeast geopolitical zone, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo, have a Charter of Equity. The difference is in the degree of faithfulness to the document. While all other states take pains to keep to the tenets of their charters, lmo State remains the underdog, treating it with levity.
To put it in proper perspective, it may be necessary to have a clear insight into what the charter means. It could simply be described as a conventional document or Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that spells out in unambiguous terms the process of rotating not just governorship but to some extent, other elective and appointive positions among the senatorial zones of the state.
It is supposed to be an understanding reached within a state to engender peace and progress based on mutual trust, equity, and fair play. Put in our lgbo parlance, “aku zuo oha, iro ala”, meaning, what is good for the goose should be good for the gander.
Taking a cue from the conduct of the charter in Abia and Enugu states so far, may be necessary. In Abia state, the charter commenced in 1999 from Abia North Senatorial district and elected Sen. Orji Uzor Kalu as governor. On completing the statutory two terms of office, the mantle moved onto Abia Central district where Sen. T. A. Orji emerged as governor. Thereafter, it was the turn of Abia South district, from 2015 to 2023, and Dr Okezie Ikpazu got the nod to be governor. Today, the sequence is back to Abia Central district with Dr Alex Chinyere Otti at the helm of affairs. It is expected in 2031 that the process will move on to Abia North.
In Enugu state, the charter successfully kick-started in 1999 with Dr Chimaraoke Nnamani from Enugu South senatorial district as governor, then onto Sullivan Chime from Enugu Central and up to Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Gburugburu, in Enugu North senatorial district. As we speak, the mantle of power is reversed to Enugu South senatorial district, where Dr Peter Mba is holding sway.
Ebonyi and Anambra states have also been faithful to their charters. The processes have not been distorted in any guise. Despite the minor quakes that shocked Anambra state during the tenures of the late Dr. Chinwoke Mbadinuju, which saw the brief emergence of Lady Etiaba as governor and the impeachment and subsequent return to office by Mr. Peter Obi, the charter has been stable and consistent. The sequence of rotation in electing governors in the state has been maintained, irrespective of pressures. Only equity will bring everlasting peace to my state.
Before the Third Republic in 1999, a group of Imo that could be described as “Wise men”, drawn from the three senatorial zones of the state, Prof Mike Echeruo, Chief I. D. Nwoga, Chief P. C. Onuoha, among others, sat down and thought out the lmo Charter of Equity. Having perfected the document, the Orlu senatorial zone was tipped to go first based on some political considerations, but today, it has failed to abide by the rules.
That arrangement saw the emergence of His Excellency, Chief Dr Achike Udenwa, from Amaifeke, Orlu as executive governor. Dr. Udenwa indeed displayed a high sense of responsibility by respecting the words of the charter and making sure his successor did not come from the Orlu zone.
In 2011, Dr. Ikedi Ohakim of the Progressive Peoples Alliance, PPA, from Okohia, Isiala Mbano LGA in Okigwe zone, emerged as the Executive Governor of the state. Dr Ohakim did just one term in office and for reasons that are now history and most unfortunate, our zone lost its second bid to Orlu. That was how the cookie crumbled and the process shattered.
In 2025, the lmo State Governor, His Excellency, Sen. Hope Uzodimma did a supposed reform of the charter by commissioning the Imo Council of Elders to do a document that apparently and more importantly to allow Okigwe zone to produce a governor come 2028 and pronounced Owerri as the next zone on the line of equity rotation.
Today, the “Reformed” Charter of Equity has put everlasting peace in my – state. Owerri and Orlu are no more in the trench, there have been sparks of resentment from the Orlu and Owerri zone, with some elements in the state seeing the document as unrealistic and a mirage. They are threatening fire and brimstone, insisting it must be discarded into the trash bin. That is the situation we are in, a near state of anarchy, but we will not allow that.
Recently, there have been serious altercations of claims and counterclaims by Owerri and Orlu on which zone should go first in 2028. While Owerri zone is claiming it has only had seven months of sway in office since the third republic, Okigwe zone is seeking to have another term to make up for its lost second term. So, the strife is on, a situation that could give Orlu zone another opportunity to remain in power. Which is bad and has brought illusion.
The raging is the Imo Charter of Equity is more like a storm before by political contractors, saying it is an unnecessary and wasteful dissipation of energy. It amounts to self-deceit and ado about nothing. The charter of equity seems more or less, a venture in futility since we do not have the commitment and self-discipline to pursue it logically. No matter the number of reforms, until we change our attitude to power management, an effective charter of equity will remain an illusion.
We should try to borrow a leave from other states of the southeast, to be able to maintain such a gentleman’s agreement.
Signed:
Dr Atuegbu charles ( Ngbadike okigwe)
National President
Okigwezurumee ( Ngbadike okigwe)
National president worldwide for.
Okigwezurumee
