By Chinasa Egbulem, Owerri
Newly elected President General of Ibo social cultural Organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, has come out to categorically that Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo state should drop his ambition to serve a second term in office.
The Igbo leader hinhed his advice on the need to abide by what he termed the Imo Charter that calls for rotation among the three political zones in the state.
He therfore canvassed that it was the turn ofoOwerri zone to produce the next governor of Imo State.
He was reacting to some Imo elders purportedly endorsing Governor Hope Uzodimma for a second term.
Faulting the decision, Iwuanyanwu insisted that the Imo Charter of Equity favours the Owerri zone in 2023.
Iwuanyanwu, who was answering questions on Channel Television on Wednesday night, described those claiming to have endorsed an Orlu person for a second term as “ignorant of the principles of the controversial 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.
He 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.”
The elder statesman expressed annoyance that Orlu zone alone has governed 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.