The Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, has insisted that zoning of the governorship seat must be maintained among the three senatorial zones in the state.
The governor made the assertion while receiving the report of the Imo Elders Council, set up to review the Charter of Equity on the rotation of the governorship seat among the three zones, Orlu, Okigwe and Owerri.
Uzodinma said the state will not witness any form of hostile takeover, stressing that justice, inclusion, and consensus remain key to sustaining peace in the state.
Addressing the Elders Council at the Government House Banquet Hall in Owerri, the governor added that lessons from the 2020 crisis when he came into office underscored the dangers of political exclusion.
“Anyone denied justice may not be committed to peace. We will eliminate any type of hostile takeover by building consensus among ourselves,” Uzodinma maintained.
He described the Elders Council as the conscience of the state, explaining that it was established by law to guide governance beyond any political coloration.
The state’s number one citizen disclosed that there are plans to amend the law establishing the council to strengthen its authority, including sanctioning members who resort to misconduct.
Uzodinma reiterated that the Charter of Equity takes into consideration the fair distribution of key political offices across the three senatorial zones, urging stakeholders to respect zoning arrangements and avoid divisive politics.
He also reaffirmed that the state is aligned with the federal government, acknowledging the support of President Bola Tinubu.
The governor expressed optimism that adherence to equity and justice would guarantee stability and a smooth political transition in the state.
“Charter of Equity has come to stay. Listen to the voice of reason and believe in the Charter of Equity. Work with the federal government and support the president. And go home and pray and allow God to do the remaining,” Uzodinma added.
He promised to consult further with stakeholders from all three zones to deepen the consensus that will lead to political stability, which, according to him, has eluded the state over the years.
He assured the elders that their job will not end with his administration, as the body will continue to advise future governors in the state.
Earlier in his remarks, Chairman of the Elders Council, Eze Cletus Ilomuanya, commended the governor for promoting unity in the state, noting that sustainable development can only be achieved when all regions progress together.
Ilomuanya urged that the Imo Charter of Equity should go beyond rhetoric and be implemented through fair appointments, balanced project distribution, and equal opportunities across the state’s zones.
He described the charter as a commitment to building an inclusive Imo where no area feels marginalised and every citizen can aspire to leadership without discrimination.
Eze Ilomuanya advised the governor to remain guided by the principles of fairness, justice, and peace embedded in the Charter.
