Once again, Owerri Zone leaders walked into Government House full of hope, only to walk out with nothing but rhetoric. Governor Hope Uzodimma has played the masterstroke, reminding them that in politics, power is never gifted, it is seized.
With a calm but cutting tone, Governor Uzodinma told them what he has said all along: he cannot handpick a successor. He stressed that the next governor must emerge through a rigorous democratic process inside the APC and across the three zones. Translation? Owerri has no special claim. Unless they build alliances with Orlu and Okigwe, sabotage is guaranteed.
And then came the killer line: “Only God can determine my successor.” With those words, Governor Hope Uzodimma washed his hands clean. He reduced the much-touted Charter of Equity to what it has always been, a political slogan. He reminded them it was never an automatic ticket, just a guide. A tool for politicians to talk about balance, not an enforceable covenant.
The Long History of Owerri Zone’s Marginalization
To understand Uzodimma’s bluntness, Owerri Zone leaders must revisit history. Since Imo State was created in 1976, Owerri has been the most sidelined zone in the struggle for Douglas House.
1979–1983: The first civilian governor, Chief Sam Mbakwe (Okigwe Zone), set the bar for visionary leadership. Owerri Zone watched.
1992–1993: Chief Evan Enwerem (Owerri Zone) became governor briefly, but the military terminated his tenure after just 20 months.
1999–2007: Chief Achike Udenwa (Orlu Zone) enjoyed two full terms, eight straight years.
2007–2011: Chief Ikedi Ohakim (Okigwe Zone) had four years.
2011–2019: Chief Rochas Okorocha (Orlu Zone) ran Imo for another eight years, consolidating Orlu dominance.
2019-2020: Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha ran Imo as governor for seven months, but his tenure was terminated by a supreme court judgement
2019–2027 (projected): Senator Hope Uzodimma (Orlu Zone again) is on course to complete another eight years.
By 2027, Orlu would have governed Imo State for a staggering 24 years. Okigwe would have held power for about 9 years. Owerri Zone, with the largest population and the capital city, would have had less than 2 years in almost half a century.
This is not balance. This is structural injustice.
The Scam of the Charter of Equity
The Charter of Equity was sold as a way to ensure fairness. In practice, it has been a pacifier, a sweet-sounding lullaby to silence Owerri while other zones consolidated their grip on power. It was invoked when convenient and discarded when not.
Governor Uzodimma’s latest declaration exposes it fully: it has no binding force. It cannot deliver power. It is a moral fig leaf, not a political weapon. Owerri leaders who continue to hang their hopes on it are either naïve or playing into the hands of political gamblers.
What Owerri Zone Must Do
Owerri Zone must wake up. The handwriting is on the wall. No governor will hand over to them on a platter. No Charter of Equity will deliver Douglas House. If they want 2027, they must:
Rally around their best candidates early.
Forge alliances across Okigwe and even Orlu.
Prepare for a bruising literally bloody fight inside the APC and beyond.
Stop flattering the governor and start strategizing and mobilizing the people.
The governor has helped us to help ourselves. He has said it plain and clearly: “Do your homework. Leave the rest to God.” But will Owerri Zone finally listen, or will history repeat itself in 2027, leaving them spectators once again?
This is not just an analysis. It is a wake-up call. Owerri Zone has suffered marginalization for nearly 50 years. Unless they break from illusions and confront reality, they will once again be betrayed by empty rhetoric and political scams. I am tired of emphasizing and re-emphasizing on our obvious reality.
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