By Amby Uneze
The quest for equity and fairness in political representation is a recurrent theme in the context of Nigeria's complicated political landscape. In Imo State, the Imo Charter of Equity has emerged as a pivotal element in governance and political dialogue. Governor Hope Uzodimma whose good intentions are to leave a legacy of equity, justice and fairness among the three zones of the State is working towards being crowned the hero of the time.
The Imo Charter of Equity is a political framework that aims to ensure equitable representation and rotation of political power, particularly, governorship position among the three zones and political groups within the state. Established primarily to address historical grievances and imbalances, the Charter seeks to institutionalise a fair approach to governance by promoting inclusivity and representation. The Charter is particularly significant in a state like Imo, where diverse interests coexist and have differing political aspirations.
For the charter of equity to succeed in 2027 governorship elections in the State, depends squarely on Governor Hope Uzodimma's benevolence and determination to anoint a successor from Owerri Zone. According to the Imo State Council of Elders, who are the initiators of the Imo charter of equity, the 2027 governorship position is zoned to Owerri senatorial district. This document received the blessing of the Imo State House of Assembly through a motion, the traditional institutions, the religious and other segments of Imolites also gave their nod, and subsequently the Governor finally gave his seal of authority to it.
The statistics of which zone has been in the saddle of leadership between Owerri, Orlu and Okigwe zones are already well known and documented, therefore, the wise thoughts of the Imo Elders, House of Assembly, traditional and religious groups cannot be over-emphasised. The take home point or otherwise, the unique selling point (USP) is the overall endorsement of number one citizen of the State in the person of the Infrastructure Governor of the year in Nigeria, Senator Hope Uzodimma, CON that zoned the 2027 governorship hopeful to come from Owerri Zone.
Quite frankly, Owerri Zone parades very distinguished and eminent personalities that qualify to succeed Governor Hope Uzodimma. In the past, the bane of political quandary in the zone had remained ego massaging on the part of contenders or aspirants. No one wanted to support another person so as to make a way for a seamless selection. Thank God this time around for the establishment of Imo Harmony Project (IHP) under the able leadership of Captain Emmanuel Ihenacho, a former Minister and one time governorship candidate of a political party.
With enormous work and sensitization as well as mobilization across the lengths and breath of three zones in particular and the involvement of the Imo people in the Diaspora in general, the IHP no doubt is determined to get it right this time around. This assurance, it is understood has been made before the governor and that His Excellency has no reason to doubt the people of Owerri Zone in their resolve not to disappoint him and the people of the State.
From the most sensitive microscopic lenses, some friends of Governor Hope Uzodimma are likely to be under intense study for evaluation, critical analysis and fact finding scaling. They include but not limited to the these names: Chief Jerry Chukwueke (Ohamadike), Sir Stanley Amuchie, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, Mr. Leo Stan Ekeh, Senator Ezenwa Onyewuchi, and Dr. MacDonald Ebere.
Chief Jerry Chukwueke
A cursory look on the credentials of Chief Jerry Chukwueke would easily endorse him for the job for many reasons. He is a mass mobilizer of people with special skills of empowerment. Chukwueke is both a businessman and politician who applies decency in his approaches. A member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and a former Chief Technical Adviser to the governor, his national exposure especially his persistent support of President Bola Tinubu's economic policies give him an edge. Chukwueke's wide experience, capacity, leadership prowess, ability to set goals for development, and exposure among national and international contacts, comes first. Having prepared adequately for the task of governance ahead with the knowledge he recently acquired at the prestigious Lagos Business School, an executive leadership class at Yale School of Management, Connecticut, US and another leadership programme at Strathmore Business School, Nairobi, Kenya, all Ivy institutions, Chukwueke is adequately and properly ready to answer the call.
In addition, Chukwueke has majored on the areas of public and private sector, economic transformation of the African continent and in particular, in creating an enabling environment for business and social impact endeavours to thrive.
Sir Stanley Amuchie
This is a name that resonates hope, capacity and fulfillment. Sir Stanley Amuchie, a Fellow of Chattered Institute of Accountants (FCA) is an established banker having risen to the top positions in the banking industry. Stanley Amuchie is currently the Chief Operating Officer & Executive Director at Fidelity Bank Plc. Previously, he held positions such as Chairman at Zenith Securities Ltd., Director at Zenith Trustees Ltd., Director at Zenith Nominees Ltd., Director at Zenith Bureau De Change Ltd., and Chief Financial Officer & Financial Controller at Zenith Bank Plc.
Presently Stanley Amuchie is on the Board of Fidelity Bank Plc with an impressive multi-functional work experience spanning banking, audit, risk management, corporate governance, quality control, operations and information technology, strategy, financial control, business and financial advisory, accounting, general management. Amuchie's education includes a first class degree from the University of Benin and a Masters degree from Leeds Beckett University.
In 2019, he contested the governorship election in the State within which he exhibited to be a more grassroots man, possibly due to his Good Hope Foundation, a non-governmental organization for assistance and empowerment of the people. He was instrumental for Governor Hope Uzodimma's re-election victory in the three local government areas of Mbaise.
Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha
His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha is a household name not only in Imo State but in Nigeria. He is an experienced politician and a public administrator who believes in due process having served as a three-time member of the House of Representatives. He rose to become the Number six citizen in Nigeria having been a deputy speaker of the House of Representatives. Though, Ihedioha served briefly as the Speaker of the green chamber, he however, was elected governor of Imo State in 2019 but was removed by the controversial Supreme Court ruling on January 14, 2020. He was governor for only seven months.
Ihedioha is known for his administrative capacity judging from the brief moment he was governor, the State improved in all indices of governance, easy of doing business, quality delivery, IGR, etc. Though, he is yet to declare for any political party presently since he resigned as a foundation member of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) about two years ago. His political structure looks intact and his members are waiting for his whistle. Political pundits believe that he has been having undercurrent romance with governor Hope Uzodimma who took power from him through the courts.
Senator Ezenwa Onyewuchi
Senator Onyewuchi has remained the luckiest politician in the State since he entered the political fray. From nowhere he won his first attempt into politics to the House of Representatives under the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). Before one could say Jack, he switched over to PDP and won the Senatorial seat for Imo East, thereafter, he failed to secure nomination and immediately he moved over to the Labour Party (LP) and won re-election into the Senate.
Onyewuchi subsequently decamped to the ruling APC from where he is currently displaying signs of running for the governorship in 2027. He is no doubt capitalising on his moves to APC to conclude that the Governor would back his aspiration. The Senator is also hinging on the power of incumbency as a ranking member of the red chambers to intensify his scheming. One major aspect of the senator's weakness may be his lack of mass appeal because he seems to be operating on a top-top approach instead of pretending to be easily accessible. He may change the perception with time.
Mr. Leo Stan Ekeh
This high tech mogul is a household name across Africa being a world-class businessman, founder and chairman of Zinox Group. He is also the chairman of Konga.com.
Ekeh attended Holy Ghost College, Owerri for his secondary education and later went to India for his university education, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from Punjab University. He believes that studying in India was a great turning point in his life because he found the economy of India very realistic. He also earned an MSc in Risk Management from the University of Nottingham, UK.
Leo Stan Ekeh started Zinox Technologies Limited in 2001 to manufacture computers. He ensured that at launch Zinox Computers already had the WHQL certification, the first in sub-Saharan Africa, consolidated 5 years later with the attainment of the NIS ISO 2000: 9001 QMS Certification. In October 2013, the company announced the production of its computer tablet line named Zipad. In February 2018, Ekeh's company Zinox acquired Konga.com from its owners buying 99% of the total company shares.
For a long time, Imo people of diverse interests have been appealing to Ekeh to throw his hat in the ring and salvage the State to economic vibrancy. This very illustrious son of Owerri Zone, though, had refused to join politics but one aspect of him, that is worthy of emulation, is that he is friendly with any government in the State and this makes him contribute his numerous development-oriented ideas for the growth of the State. He is loved by all because he is a perfectionist and does not believe in half measures.
Dr. Macdonald Ebere
Macdonald Ebere is the current chairman of APC in the State. His contributions to the growth of the party in the State as well as his unwavering support to the Shared Prosperity government of Senator Hope Uzodimma recently earned him an appointment as the Board Chairman of School of Fisheries and Marine Technology, Oshodi, Lagos.
Ebere's closeness to the governor dates back several years ago when they duo became inlaws. However, he has been a loyal and humble supporter of the governor. His advantage is in his age. In terms of accessibility to the people, he needs to improve on that aspect. He has a promising future.
Having outlined the qualities of a few possible allies of the governor, there are others who are silent supporters of the governor but are strategizing from the background. These few gladiators would be captured in the next episode.
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