AN OPEN LETTER TO THE GOVERNOR OF IMO STATE.
His Excellency,
Distinguished Senator Dr. Hope Odidika Uzodimma, CON, GSSRS,
Governor of Imo State,
Chairman, Progressive Governors’ Forum,
Chairman, South-East Governors’ Forum,
Government House, Owerri, Imo State.
Dear Sir,
WHY THIS LOPSIDED ZONING ARRANGEMENT WILL NOT STAND.
E-ISSN:2354-4481
(The Onuimo Federal and House of Assembly Arrangement Which Is About Producing Two Candidates from Okwelle).
The popular saying, “He who comes to equity must come with clean hands,” aptly captures the current political situation in Onuimo Local Government Area. A critical examination of the recent APC arrangements regarding the Federal House of Representatives and House of Assembly positions in Onuimo clearly reveals that the zoning principle, in its true spirit and intent, has not been fairly implemented.
On Thursday, April 14, 2026, Your Excellency convened a meeting with political stakeholders across the state at the Banquet Hall of Government House, Owerri. During the meeting, you emphasized the need for unity, cohesion, and mutual understanding among party members.
In your remarks, Your Excellency stated that politics is a contest that must inevitably produce winners and losers, while urging party faithful to accept political outcomes with maturity and sportsmanship. You also cautioned against excessive financial desperation in politics, noting that such unhealthy ambitions often lead to frustration and avoidable tension.
Most importantly, Your Excellency strongly reiterated support for zoning arrangements, particularly at the local government level, where rotational leadership has historically served as a mechanism for fairness, inclusion, and peaceful coexistence.
A clear example is Onuimo LGA, where zoning and rotational representation have long guided the distribution of political offices among the four clans — Okwelle, Okwe, Umuduru Egbe-Aguru, and Umuna. Since the return of democracy in 1999, this arrangement has promoted peace, political balance, and stability within the local government.
In line with this understanding, the House of Assembly seat rotated from Umuna, represented by Rt. Hon. Paul Emeziem, to the Okwe Clan, currently represented by Hon. Chief Dr. James Uba Esile (“Fresh Air”). By the established rotational principle, the House of Assembly position is expected to move to Okwelle in 2027.
This orderly arrangement has remained one of the strongest pillars of unity and harmony in Onuimo LGA.
However, at the level of the Okigwe North Federal Constituency, comprising Okigwe, Onuimo, and Isiala Mbano LGAs, the same sense of equity has not prevailed. The constituency has experienced prolonged dominance by Isiala Mbano LGA through the representation of Rt. Hon. Miriam Onuoha and Hon. Obinna Onwubuariri, whose combined stay in the House of Representatives amounts to approximately twelve years.
This development runs contrary to the widely accepted rotational understanding that each local government area should be allowed to enjoy representation and, where performance is satisfactory, a second-term opportunity.
From the era of Hon. Maurice Ibekwe up to the emergence of Rt. Hon. Miriam Onuoha, this principle had largely been respected until recent developments began threatening the existing balance.
Concerned by these growing tensions, elders and leaders of Okigwe Zone, led by Chief Tony Chukwu (Onweihieka-riri-Chineke), convened crucial meetings to reaffirm the need for equity and political inclusiveness across the zone.
These discussions culminated in the Okigwe Zonal Leaders Meeting held on April 3, 2026, where earlier resolutions reached in 2022 were reaffirmed.
Among the resolutions was the agreement that political power should rotate among the three blocs of Otanchara/Otanzu, Mbano, and Etiti clans, while also recognizing the political marginalization of areas such as Onuimo and Ihitte-Uboma.
Today, Ihitte-Uboma has successfully achieved its aspiration of producing a House of Representatives member through adherence to its internal zoning principles.
Unfortunately, the same cannot presently be said of Onuimo LGA — ironically, the same local government that championed rotational representation and equitable distribution of offices from the onset.
The arrangement presently unfolding in Onuimo has severely disrupted the balance that once guaranteed peace, fairness, and political stability. Many believe this distortion is being driven by a few selfish interests whose actions do not align with the broader vision of Your Excellency’s administration, which seeks to promote stability and inclusion across Imo State.
What has made the Onuimo model unique over the years is its strict respect for zoning and its deliberate effort to ensure that no single clan monopolizes sensitive political offices at the expense of others.
By mutual understanding among stakeholders, it was agreed that since Okwelle Clan would produce the House of Assembly candidate in 2027, the Federal House of Representatives position should naturally go to another clan — particularly Okwe Clan, where the current House of Assembly member, Hon. James Esile, originates.
However, what is now emerging is a situation where both the House of Assembly and the Federal House of Representatives positions are concentrated in the Okwelle Clan.
This development is widely seen as unjust, politically insensitive, and capable of creating deep resentment among the people. It establishes a dangerous precedent that undermines the very foundation of Onuimo’s zoning philosophy.
Beyond Onuimo, the implications extend to the broader political future of APC in Okigwe Zone. Many party faithful fear that such perceived injustice could weaken grassroots support ahead of future elections, particularly at a time when APC seeks to consolidate its dominance in Okigwe Zone and strategically position itself for future senatorial and governorship ambitions.
There is growing concern that the dissatisfaction arising from this arrangement may trigger avoidable political backlash capable of affecting APC’s electoral fortunes in Onuimo LGA.
For this reason, we passionately call on the Executive Governor of Imo State and Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, His Excellency Distinguished Senator Dr. Hope Odidika Uzodimma, CON, to intervene in the interest of justice, fairness, and political stability.
We respectfully urge Your Excellency to reconsider and reverse the decision that has allowed both the House of Assembly and Federal House of Representatives positions to emerge from the same clan — Okwelle — thereby restoring confidence in the zoning arrangement that has sustained peace in Onuimo over the years.
Justice, fairness, and equity remain the foundation of lasting peace and political stability.
Long Live Onuimo LGA
Long Live Okigwe Zone
Long Live Imo State.
Signed:
PROJECT EQUITY
