By Jude Akagbusum

When our forbearers thought of the unification and peaceful coexistence of our State, that has kept most of our areas underdeveloped, they considered among other issues that ‘Equity’, “Eme Nwanyi Ka Emere Ibeya, Ntamu Alaa”, and that brought about the agreement between the three brothers, Okigwe, Owerri and Orlu zones to be drawn and that becomes the origin of the “Charter of Equity”, precisely in 1999.

ORLU, through Dr Achike Udenwa rode on this Charter for two terms of 8 years, but when it was the turn of OKIGWE zone, tongues began to wag, with the squabbles that the disorganized internal democracy of a party created, but unfortunately, due to greed and selfishness of our politicians, they jettisoned the document that was designed for equity, progress and development, will undoubtedly be continued to create the imbalance originally envisaged.

Are all the zones developing at equal pace, or was the Charter destroyed just to allow one person to oppress the other zones, as soon as he grabs it. When somebody’s property is forcefully taken and nobody reacted to stop him, he will continue to enjoy that privilege, until it will be the turn of the next person to witness what the first person witnessed, if there was no collective effort made to correct and retrieve the powers used unduly. It therefore, makes foolish of the originators of the “Charter of Equity”.

So far as, Governor, Dr Achike Udenwa representing ORLU was used as the foundation for this new “Charter of Equity”, and as soon as in 2007, Governor, Dr Ikedi Ohakim was thrown up to represent OKIGWE, every hand should have been on deck, without any form of ungovernable distractions, by 2015, it should have been the turn of OWERRI, but that was not to be.

The rest now has become history that an ORLU man, Governor, Dr Rochas Okorocha, has continued and have eaten into the remaining chances meant for both OKIGWE and OWERRI, while the two zones continues to quarrel, and an ORLU man, Governor, Dr Rochas Okorocha, will continue to usurp the benefits alone, not as if he is not executing the duties, but even development has eluded the other zones, denied the right in the Charter of Equity and we are back to square one.

The vision of our fathers could not be sustained due to selfishness of our brothers, is that a normal thing to happen, in a State where we need Peace, Unity & Progress? No, we only have quietness, like the peace of the graveyard.

Without being immodest, Okigwe people will prefer the governorship to come to their area. This will ensure the unity, peace and progress of the State to spread to OKIGWE, like it has done to ORLU, as well as to guarantee OWERRI people a peaceful transition.

In conclusion, the ‘Charter of Equity’, was a credible document, signed and agreed by all the stakeholders, and it was a big disappointment to have jettisoned it, when it does not suit their whims and caprices of our oppressors, moreover, that person has taken his own opportunity. Also, the consideration of Okigwe, in the spirit of the letters of the document, will boost the morale of the people and the intended Unity, Peace and Progress, without which, IMO State will be seen as a State oppressing and marginalizing its citizens, but God forbid!

Allow IMO to be in the Hands of God