2027: Okigwe Stakeholders Reject Owerri’s Governorship Claim, Question Imo Charter of Equity

The push by Owerri Zone to secure the Imo State governorship in 2027 has met resistance from stakeholders in Okigwe Zone, who have questioned the interpretation and acceptance of the state’s controversial Charter of Equity.

The position emerged during a consultation between leaders of Owerri Zone United and prominent Okigwe stakeholders at the country home of Chief Tony Chukwu in Umueze I, Ehime Mbano Local Government Area.

The Owerri delegation, led by its Coordinating Chairman, Prince Charles Amadi, appealed to Okigwe leaders to support the emergence of a governor from Owerri Zone in 2027. Amadi argued that such an arrangement would be consistent with the Imo Charter of Equity and promote political understanding among the state’s three senatorial zones.

Among those in the Owerri delegation were former Minister and Ambassador Lady Kema Chikwe, Senator Ezenwa Onyewuchi, Deputy Governor Lady Chinyere Ekomaru, Prince Marcon Nlemigbo and HRH Eze Fred Nwachukwu, alongside other political, traditional and community leaders.

Responding on behalf of Okigwe Zone, former President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Nze Fidelis Ozichukwu Chukwu, referred to an earlier position attributed to Governor Hope Uzodimma that Owerri leaders should engage Okigwe stakeholders on the question of the next governor. He then questioned whether the meeting represented that engagement or was primarily an attempt to secure backing for the Owerri project.

Ozichukwu also challenged the interpretation of the Charter of Equity. While acknowledging the existence of a document advocating rotation of the governorship among the three senatorial zones, he questioned whether its interpretation and proposed implementation adequately reflected equity and inclusivity.

He further argued that the stakeholders present could not claim to speak for the entire Okigwe Zone because some prominent political figures, including former Governor Ikedi Ohakim and Prof. Maurice Iwu, were absent from the meeting.

Other Okigwe stakeholders present included HRH Eze Oliver Ohanwe, Chairman of the Okigwe Global Elders Forum; Chief Tony Chukwu; Hon. Dr Gloria Akobundu; Rt. Hon. Ike C. Ibe; Bishop Godson Ukanwa; Prof. Nnamdi Obiaraeri; Prof. Ossy Nwebo; Prof. Dede Konkwo; Barr. Ifeanyi Agwu; Dr Ezechi Chukwu; HRH Eze Osondu; and leaders of the Okigwe Council of Ndi Eze.

Also present were HRH Eze Dan Emereonye, Hon. Barr. Chris Okewulonu, Sir Bright Nwachukwu, Bishop Athan Azubuike, Rt. Hon. Maxwell Duru, Rt. Hon. Kennedy Ibe and Ambassador Eddy Onuoha, among others.

Rather than producing the endorsement sought by the Owerri delegation, the meeting exposed continuing disagreement over the meaning and legitimacy of the Charter of Equity. The Okigwe stakeholders questioned whether the arrangement being presented by Owerri leaders enjoys genuine consensus across Imo’s three senatorial zones.

The consultation has therefore opened another political debate ahead of the 2027 governorship election, with questions remaining over who has the authority to interpret the Charter, whether all three zones accept it and whether Okigwe stakeholders are prepared to support an Owerri governorship bid on that basis.