A former member of the Federal House of Representatives, Okigwe South Federal Constituency and the Chairman of Triatlantic Group, Professor Chudi Uwazurike has added his voice on the issue of Imo Charter of Equity.
Speaking, delivering a stimulating lecture on the Okigwe Political Summit, 2017, Theme: Oke-Akwalam, held on 6th December, at Umuezeala-Owerre, in Ehime- Mbano Local Government. The erudite professor stressed the need to go back to the Imo Chapter of Equity as a way of balancing the power sharing among the three zones in Imo State.
The former Representative In the paper read on his behalf by Dr. Bonaventure Nwokoma of the University of Nigeria, spoke on the topic: “Okigwe Future with or without the Imo Charter of Equity-Brighter than many think” Stated that, the Imo Charter of Equity was not a fluke, rather a veritable contribution to new thinking, for without democratic stability, there can be no sustainable progress, cultural, spiritual or political in the long run adding that the charter of Equity and zoning of governorship, the people of Imo State will develop a more equitable, justifiable climate for the holistic development of the State, where there exists no grudges from ail sides on the basis of ill-treatment and marginalization.
He recalled how leaders of the three zones resolved on the equitable distribution of political power among the three political zones of the state which he said was more pronounced at the onset of the 4th Republic when, on January 19, 1998 at the same Glass House, Orji, Imo leaders again assembled and reaffirmed the existence of this sacred document establishing the idea of zoning.
Prof. Uwazurike in his speech averred that Imo people if they wish can now truncate the arrangement if they wish, but there is no need for the denigration, denials and truncation of an idea that had contributed to stability. But Imo should also take pride in being pioneer of an idea that is now a model for other sister States like Abia, Ebonyi, Enugu who now practice their own Charter of Equity.
He revealed that recently, Anambra 2017 governorship election proved to be a strong demonstration of the zoning charter of equity in practice as there is need to correct the political accident that truncated the rotational arrangement for the spirit of brotherliness, unity and fairness.
Expressing happiness at the theme chose by the organizers, of the event – Oke Akwalam – for their efforts, in bringing all major stakeholders of Okigwe zone for intensive discussion and brainstorming, the Pan-Africanist scholar, urged the Okigwe people to unite and extend hands of partnership by forming strategic alliance with other zones adding that the issue of who governs Imo will always be by discussion and consensus. “People should avoid hate speeches, aimed at denigrating others, eschew unnecessary and unhealthy political rivalry, and think of the future prosperity of our gifted
He maintained that Okigwe will review its place in Imo and its future if Orlu and Owerri zones are tempted to ignore the tripod upon which Imo stands. “Okigwe, he said, should be ready to discuss and negotiate”. He urged others to do just the same.
Among those in the audience were civil society, Ambassador Tim Ihemadu who also spoke, Chief Alex Mbakwe, Hon. Chief Osuagwu, Chief Longers Anyanwu, a former Imo commissioner, former SURE-P director Chief Jasper Ndubuaku, former Majority Leader Chief Stanford Onyirimba Comrade Dr. Ebziem Jude Ebiziem of Alvan Ikoku, former campaign manager for Sen. Athan Achonu, Engr.Udechukwu, spokesman for then Governor Ikedi Ohakim, Chief Ethelbert Nwachukwu, Hon. Chief Mrs. Ruby Emele, Zik Nwachukwu, Chief Emma Nwosu, Sir. George Egu, Mr. Luke Dike, Chief Robert Asuzu, Hon. Duru Basil, Chief Nick Amaefule, Chief Kodichi Anamekwe, Chief Magnus Orjiakor, Chief C.Y Emedon, Hon. Ngozi Ogbu, Chief Zeek Martin Nnadozie, Mrs. Vivian Echeruo and a capacity crowd of Okigwe people from across the six local governments.
