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Imo State Charter of Equity, otherwise called IMO CHARTER OF EQUITY is a proposed covenant of trust between the people of Imo State and their Governor, His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma; it is like a bond of acceptance rolled out to embrace the desire of Imo people in establishing confidence, stability, peace and unity in Imo State.
Betty Williams in a Nobel lecture in Oslo Norway on December 11, 1977 wrote: “ We dedicate ourselves to working with our neighbors, near and far, day in and day out, to building that peaceful society in which the tragedies we have known are bad memory and a continuing warning.” In the light of that it is also true that memories help to shape future progress; it may not be enough to engage in agitation, win or lose any contest or war, what is most important in the end is the ability and determination to organize and establish peace and harmony. In organizing and establishing peace and harmony, a template must be created to translate intention into action; and in Imo State, the Imo Charter of Equity is a template of stability, peace and harmony in tune with this reality.
Imo Charter of Equity puts it clearly thus: “ That cognizance of the incumbency of the present Governor of Imo State, His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, who has done well, for which reason he was unanimously adopted by Imo State Stakeholders for a second tenure in the last Imo Stakeholders Meeting in January 2023, and who constitutionally is entitled to a second tenure, he should be supported to go for a second tenure, thereafter and by this Charter of trust, the Governorship goes to another zone.”
Imo Charter of Equity comes from the adaptation of the Imo State Council of Elders. The Council is a statutory body established by the Law of Imo State saddled with the responsibility of advising the state government and Imo people on any issue of public interest for peace, unity and good governance of the state. It is a non-partisan body whose membership cuts across traditional rulers in the state, various political parties, religious bodies and denominations, captains and leaders of industries and notable Imo people of diverse backgrounds. The Chairman of the Council is HRM, Eze [Dr.] Cletus Ilomuanya, CON and the Secretary is Rt. Hon Maxwell Duru, Ph. D.
Imo State Charter of Equity envisions equitable accommodation as follows:
1] “That the next zone to produce the Governor after the incumbent is Owerri zone, which shall enjoy two tenures.”
2] “ That the Governorship will move from Owerri zone after eight [8] years to Okigwe zone.”
3] “ That after eight[8] years of Okigwe zone, the governorship will go back to Orlu zone for two tenures and vice versa”
4] “That for further spread of this Charter of Equity, it shall be enshrined that no other zone can hold office of Governor and Speaker of the House of Assembly at the same time or office of Deputy Governor and Speaker at the same time.”
5] “That whereas the Council is not unmindful of the unethical antics of some politicians who might scheme to thwart this rotational arrangement done in good conscience for their selfish reasons, the Council also resolved that for the forthcoming November 2023 governorship election in Imo State, other zones are enjoined to drop their governorship ambition to enable Governor Hope Uzodimma complete the tenure of Orlu zone”
Adopting Imo Charter of Equity by political actors across the three senatorial zones in Imo state will among other things help to consolidate understanding among Imo people. These windows of understanding include:
1] Imo Charter of Equity will guide in generating an equitable structure that will roll out space to accommodate agreeable balance of leadership in Imo State.
2] Imo Charter of Equity will put a stop to agitations and protests over domination by one zone over another.
3] Imo Charter of Equity will foster peace and brotherhood among Imo people, and will enhance support for the governor and cement oneness.
4] Imo Charter of Equity will drive and garner inclusiveness in leadership and governance, reduce and eliminate dissatisfaction and grievances among political practitioners. It will help to eliminate insecurity as it will attract harmony, peace and enhanced development.
Imo State Charter of Equity provides that four years from today, Owerri zone will be preparing to walk into the governorship position without the hustle of worrisome contests.
Endorsements by Christian faithful and the custodians of Igbo tradition and culture in Imo State
The body of Christian Association of Nigeria [CAN], Imo State Chapter, that commands not less than 85% of the population of Imo State, has endorsed Imo Charter of Equity as a thoughtful proposal structured with determination to return Imo State to its comfort position of peace and love for one another.
And in an interdenominational service for peace and unity in Imo State tagged IMO PRAYS organized by the Christian Association of Nigeria [CAN], Imo State Chapter held on Saturday, 13th May, 2023 at the Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu Square, Concorde Boulevard, Owerri, with the theme: Peace and Unity:- Bedrock for Sustainable Development [Psalm 133: 1-3], Christian faithful in Imo State and their spiritual fathers, led by His Grace, Most Revd Eches Divne Eches [CAN Chairman, Imo State Chapter], endorsed Imo Charter of Equity and prayed to God to accept and bring to fulfillment the desires expressed in Imo Charter of Equity.
The Imo Charter of Equity was finally presented to the Governor, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma by the Chairman of Imo State Council of Elders, HRM, Eze [Dr.] Cletus Ilomuanya, CON.
In his speech, the Governor of Imo State, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, thanked Imo State Council of Elders and Imo people for such a thoughtful presentation. He promised to uphold and keep to the spirit of the Charter of Equity. He reminded all that the government of Imo State under his watch is one installed by God. The Church he said is instituted by God to serve the people, so is his government as a secular establishment is here also to serve the people. The Governor noted that at the height of disturbing insecurity in the state the Bishops and the body of Clergy in Imo State canvassed that they would love to have political stability in the state so that the level of grievances among political practitioners in the state would come down. The presentation of Imo State Council of Elders as contained in Imo Charter of Equity is in conformity with the intention of the Bishops and the body of Clergy in the state; in all it is a thoughtful consideration in-built in the desire to achieve peace and stability in the state.
In another development, on Thursday, 25th May, 2023, the traditional rulers in Imo State came together to place the proposed Imo Charter of Equity in the hands of the gods of the land of Imo State to guide against derailment and any act of sabotage. The Chairman of Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, HRM Eze (Dr.) Emmanuel C. Okeke, EZEUDO II AMAIFEKE, led other traditional rulers to the Government House roundabout where they poured libations to support Imo Charter of equity. Other traditional rulers who joined him to pour the libation were Eze Goddy Okeke, EZEDIOHANMA I OF UMUKPA ALIKE (Okigwe zone), Eze Osuagwu Akujobi, EZIKOCHI OF AWAKA (Owerri zone) and Eze Thomas Obiefule, OKIADURUI, OKIRURU OF UMUDIOKA (Orlu zone). The Chairman of Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers, HRM Eze (Dr.) Emmanuel Okeke, added “that the libation and prayers they came to offer were their way of endorsing the unanimous agreement of the Imo State Council of Elders and all stakeholders in the state who support the full implementation of the Charter of Equity.” He went further to state that “ it was also an opportunity for them to pass a vote of confidence on Governor Uzodimma “having seen all the good works he has done in the state.” [https://dailypost.ng/2023/05/25/imo-charter-of-equity-monarchs-invoke-wrath-of-gods-against-saboteurs/]
Keeping faith with Imo Charter of Equity
The Governor of Imo State, His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, has promised to keep faith with the Charter of Equity. This is the beginning of its implementation, he has promised to supervise and keep commitment with this covenant.
From Imo Elders, religious leaders and their followers, traditional rulers to Imo people who have called and supported this Charter of Equity the common front and involvement is total commitment to this covenant of trust and restoration. The witnesses here are heavenly bodies and traditional receptors. In all God is in charge.
…Julius Otusorochukwu Dike
