GOVERNMENT OF IMO STATE

PRESS RELEASE

Uzodimma to Owerri zone: I believe in Charter of Equity, stop overheating polity

…Warns Charter of Equity meant for zone not individuals

The Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma, has urged the stakeholders, political leaders and other people of Owerri zone to stop overheating the polity as he still has three years to work as Governor, informing them that he believes in the Charter of Equity.

By way of advice, the Governor told them “to go home, reconcile and unite” themselves, emphasising that they should not overheat the polity so that he can continue to develop Imo State as the Charter of Equity is not to serve individuals purposes but rather the zone.

“I believe in the Charter of Equity,” he said, maintaining that it has become a legislative document, with the bill on it passed into law by the Imo State House of Assembly.

Uzodimma spoke on Monday, March 10, 2025 at the Sam Mbakwe Executive Council Chambers, Government House Owerri, when he received Stakeholders of Owerri Zone extraction.

The Governor acknowledged the accolades given to him by the leaders and people of Owerri zone, noting that he will not take it for granted. He said: “I will continue to work hard in order to live up to your expectations.”

He recalled that before his emergence as the Governor Imo State had lost its glory and was faced with insecurity challenges, and expressed joy and gratitude to God that “Imo has been recovered to the glory of God.”

Uzodimma however pointed out that the political problem of Owerri zone is both internal and external, noting that to overcome such issues the people must create an atmosphere of peace, unity, tolerance, awareness, reconcile and be your brother’s keeper.

“Let us separate individual interest from collective interest,” Governor Uzodimma advised.

He regretted that what is being practised in Nigeria is partisan politics, maintaining that he will support his Party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), and her candidate when the time to choose his successor comes.

He noted that anyone that will succeed him must be able to drive the people’s agenda and not his own Agenda. “I will not solve all the problems of Imo State, but the person coming after me must be able to solve some,” the Governor stated.

Uzodimma reiterated that what Owerri zone should be looking for after his tenure is merit, bold and a courageous man.

He therefore enjoined them to play politics in a diplomatic manner and condemned primitive acquisition of wealth as exhibited by some unscrupulous politicians.

He further called on them to reconcile, come together and work as a team if they are desirous of succeeding in their quest to have his successor come from Owerri zone.

The leader of the delegation, Captain Emmanuel Iheanacho commended the Governor for the wonderful works he is doing in Owerri Zone. He said that “the Governor is performing absolutely well, especially in the quality of road constructions going on across all zones of the State.”

Captain Iheanacho recalled that in 1999, Nigeria had experienced a transition from Military rule to civil democracy. He said it was most fair to recognise based on the Charter of Equity, that Owerri zone produces the next Governor after Uzodimma.

Other leaders in their contributions like Amb. Kema Chikwe and Gen. C.R.V. Ihekire, equally thanked the Governor for the opportunity given to them to come and interact with him and reaffirmed that Owerri zone in general believes in the Charter of Equity.

Amb. Chikwe particularly noted that the meeting was important to the extent that those in attendance cut across Party lines and happy with his performance, and an indication that “everybody endorses His Excellency’s sense of equity and justice.”

The Hon. member representing Mbaitoli/Ikeduru in the House of Representatives, Akarachi Amadi informed the Governor that the people of Owerri zone are happy with him because he has shown them unquantifiable love. He promised, on behalf of Owerri Zone, their believe in the Governor and continuing loyalty and support to his administration.

Hon. Amadi noted that the Governor has empowered the zone well, by giving them Deputy Governor in his first and second tenure, and that through his numerous achievements, the whole Owerri Zone has collapsed into APC.

He further acknowledged that Owerri Zone has benefited immensely in the Governor’s administration both in infrastructural development and appointments to political offices.

He therefore, on behalf of Owerri Zone leaders, proposed a Vote of Confidence on the Governor which was seconded by the member representing Ahiazu Mbaise in the Imo State House of Assembly, Hon. Samuel Otuibe, accompanied by his other colleagues from the Zone.

The motion was affirmed by all the leaders present in a Yes voice vote.

The Deputy Governor, Lady Chinyere Ekomaru, the Secretary to State Government, Chief Cosmas Iwu, the Chief of Staff, Barr. Nnamdi Anyaehie attended the Governor’s parley with distinguished sons and daughters of Owerri zone.

Oguwike Nwachuku

Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the Governor

March 10, 2025