Iwuanyanwu advised Uzodimma to step aside after completing his tenure and allow Owerri zone produce the next governor of Imo state
Newly appointed president general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, has argued that it is the turn of Owerri zone to produce the next governor of Imo State.
Iwuanyanwu, while speaking as a guest of Channels Television’s Politics Today, said the Imo Charter of Equity favours Owerri zone in 2023.
He described those who endorsed Governor Hope Uzodimma for a second term as “ignorant of the principles of the Imo Charter of Equity”.
Tracing the history of the Charter, Iwuanyanwu said that the late Samuel Onunaka Mbakwe from Okigwe zone governed the old Imo state for over five years, a few years before Ikedi Ohakim from the same zone ruled for another four years thereby giving the zone nine years and some months in the state’s leadership.
Iwuanyanwu said, “Achike Udenwa, an Orlu man was elected governor of the state in line with the charter of Equity in 1999 to 2007, Rochas Okorocha, another Orlu man got elected into office as governor in 2011 and stayed till 2019 before the present Governor Hope Uzodinma also an Orlu son took over and he is completing his first four years in office.”
READ ALSO
How Iwuanyanwu emerged new Ohaneze Ndigbo President-General
The elder statesman said it is wrong for Orlu zone alone to govern the state for 20 years put together while the Owerri zone’s chances to retain power through the nine and seven months of Senator Evans Enwerem and Hon Emeka Ihedioha respectively were truncated.
“Those suggesting an Orlu person continue after 20 years in office do not have the interest of the state at heart,” he said.
He urged the entire Imo people to unanimously vote for an Owerri man to justify the potency of the Imo Charter of Equity.
Iwuanyanwu further advised Uzodimma to step aside after completing his tenure, adding that the massive support garnered from Owerri zone should encourage him not to stretch his ambition beyond 2023.
