From the Owerri Zone point of view, the unfolding drama surrounding the 2027 Imo State Governorship election and the contentious interpretation of the Imo Charter of Equity is a matter that transcends routine political calculations. It speaks directly to the soul of the state, invoking foundational principles of fairness, justice, and inclusion. The resurgent interest from Orlu zone political actors to re-enter the governorship contest, barely before the ink of Governor Hope Uzodimma’s second term dries, is not only provocative but also undermines the very essence of equity that has held the delicate balance of Imo’s plural society together.
The historical marginalization of the Owerri zone is no longer debatable. It is a matter of record. Since the return of democracy in 1999, Orlu zone has governed Imo State for an overwhelming 24 years, eight years under Achike Udenwa, another eight under Rochas Okorocha, and now eight years being completed by Senator Hope Uzodimma. Okigwe zone had a brief four-year spell under Ikedi Ohakim from 2007 to 2011. Meanwhile, Owerri zone, the state capital and a melting pot of Imo’s socio-economic and cultural life, has only held the governorship for a paltry 7 months under Emeka Ihedioha’s brief spell before a controversial Supreme Court verdict removed him from office. This disparity is not just political; it is a profound indictment of the deliberate sidelining of a critical segment of the state’s demography.
To suggest, therefore, that the 2027 governorship slot should be open to all zones, including Orlu, is to spit in the face of justice and to perpetuate a culture of domination that must be rejected by all well-meaning Imolites. It is disheartening that even after dominating the political landscape of the state for over two decades, certain elements within Orlu zone are not content with handing over power. The political climate is becoming increasingly polluted with the reported preparations of some Orlu sons to declare their interest. This development calls into question the sincerity of earlier commitments by Governor Uzodimma to allow for a power shift after his tenure.
What is particularly worrisome is the subtle game of ambiguity being played by the governor himself. While he has publicly stated that power should not remain in Orlu zone after his administration, his failure to categorically support the Owerri zone has created fertile ground for speculation, opportunism, and political manipulation. His statement that power is not given “turn by turn” and should go to whoever is ready to fight for Imo people may be interpreted as democratic, but in the context of the state’s chequered zoning history, it can also be seen as a subtle abdication of moral responsibility. The Owerri zone is not asking for charity. It is demanding its rightful turn, having waited patiently, often sacrificially, while other zones recycled power amongst themselves.
It is also important to contextualize the argument being made by some Okigwe zone actors, who claim that they deserve a full term of eight years because their 2011 opportunity was truncated. While their argument may carry some emotional weight, it collapses under the harsh reality that Owerri zone has never had even a single uninterrupted tenure. In a state that claims to abide by a principle of rotational equity, it is unconscionable that Owerri must continue to defer its turn just so others can repeat theirs. Equity is not about symmetry alone but about justice. If we are to rebalance the political structure of Imo State, then the moral and logical choice is for Owerri zone to take the baton.
Even more disappointing is the narrative pushed by certain voices in Orlu that the Charter of Equity is not a legal instrument but a moral document. While that may be technically true, governance in any civilised society is not sustained by laws alone but by shared values and mutual respect for unwritten conventions. The Charter of Equity may not have been passed by the House of Assembly, but it was conceived and agreed upon by the political leadership of the state in a bid to avoid sectional dominance and promote a sense of belonging among all parts of the state. Disregarding it now, after benefiting so immensely from it, is not only hypocritical but also deeply unjust.
For Owerri zone, the 2027 election represents more than a political contest; it is a test of whether justice still has a place in the political fabric of Imo State. It is a test of whether promises, whether spoken or implied, mean anything. It is a test of whether the people of Owerri zone will continue to be politically shortchanged while being expected to play host to the seat of government, contribute significantly to the economy, and serve as the hub of intellectual and commercial life in the state. The time has come for Owerri zone to assert itself, not with arrogance or aggression, but with a firm resolve and an unwavering unity of purpose. The time for internal disunity, microzoning distractions, and selfish ambition is over. The survival of Owerri zone’s political relevance now depends on its ability to rise above these fractures and present a united front behind a candidate that embodies capacity, credibility, and cross-zonal appeal.
Let it be made clear that this is not a plea for sympathy. It is a demand for justice. The kind of justice that heals wounds, restores confidence, and strengthens the democratic foundations of our dear state. The people of Owerri zone are not second-class citizens in Imo State and must no longer be treated as such. They have waited long enough. The idea that Orlu, after 24 years in power, still has the audacity to field candidates for the 2027 election is a betrayal of trust and a provocation that could destabilize the fragile political harmony of the state.
It is the duty of every sincere Imolite to defend fairness, to uphold equity, and to support a transition that truly reflects our shared values. Governor Hope Uzodimma, if he is to be remembered as a leader who upheld justice, must do more than remain neutral. He must, even subtly, create a pathway for justice to prevail. This means discouraging Orlu aspirants, facilitating healthy competition between Owerri candidates, and using his influence to midwife a transition that brings closure to decades of injustice. History is watching.
The 2027 governorship race must not be business as usual. It must be a watershed moment when Imo State decides whether it will continue in the path of inequity or begin a new chapter of justice and inclusion. Owerri zone deserves its turn, not just for the sake of balance, but because it is right, it is just, and it is overdue.
Hon. Chima Nnadi-Oforgu
“Durueebube Uzii na Abosi”
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