Governor says competence, not zoning, will determine his successor ahead of 2027 elections

DDM NEWS

Gov Uzodinma

In a major political development that has upended months of speculation and political maneuvering in Imo State, Governor Hope Uzodinma has dismissed claims that he has zoned the 2027 governorship to any particular senatorial district or endorsed any candidate.

The Governor stated unequivocally that his successor must be “competent and capable of continuing from where he stops.

The Governor’s comments, delivered during his recent State of the State Address, have sent shockwaves across political circles, particularly among proponents of the so-called Imo Charter of Equity, who have cited his name as backing zoning to the Imo East (Owerri Zone).

No Charter, No Endorsement, No Successor Named

Contrary to widespread media narratives and political communiqués, there is no legally binding Charter of Equity in Imo State, neither in the State House of Assembly nor within the constitution of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The idea of such a charter has been used in recent months by political actors—mostly from Owerri Zone—to justify claims of entitlement to the next governorship.

However, Governor Uzodinma’s declaration has now directly contradicted those assertions. He did not mention any zoning arrangement, and he did not anoint a successor. Instead, he stressed the need for “competence” and “continuity”.

“I want someone who is competent to take over from me,” the Governor stated.

This single statement is being interpreted as a strategic distancing from any form of tribal or sectional imposition, and it has effectively discredited months of lobbying by political groups citing him as the authority behind a purported power-sharing agreement.

Political Fallout and Reactions

Observers say the Governor’s position could recalibrate the political equation in the state, particularly for 2027. Some political analysts see it as a rebuke to certain elites accused of attempting to force an Owerri-Zone candidate through alleged backdoor endorsements.

Already, figures who had previously brandished zoning as a settled matter have gone silent since the Governor’s statement.

Several stakeholders from the Okigwe Zone—long considered marginalized in the rotation of power—have welcomed the development, calling it a window for true equity and inclusive governance.

One of the key voices in this growing conversation is former Governor Dr. Ikedi Ohakim, who is widely believed to be under pressure from supporters to contest again. Ohakim, who hails from the Okigwe Zone, served one term as Governor but did not complete his second term due to political upheavals widely viewed as unfair and orchestrated.

Calls to Revisit Equity from 2011 Disruption

Political commentators have pointed to 2011 as the year when the natural rotation of governorship was disrupted—when Ohakim, after serving one term, was denied a fair chance to complete a second term in office. Critics argue that the present conversation around zoning ignores that historical injustice.

With Orlu Zone poised to complete 24 cumulative years in office by 2028, and Owerri Zone already having had past turns, many are now saying that equity must start by correcting past wrongs—including allowing Okigwe Zone a legitimate and undisrupted opportunity.

A Return to Merit and Justice

Governor Uzodinma’s remarks are also being interpreted as a pushback against what some have called “political manipulation under the banner of equity.” Analysts say his comments restore the primacy of competence, vision, and development-oriented leadership above tribal sentiment.

As 2027 approaches, the question remains whether the people of Imo will choose leaders based on merit or yield to the pressure of regional entitlement. For now, the Governor’s comments have reopened the debate—and shifted the momentum toward a merit-based succession.

About the Reporter:
Bishop Chuck Johnson is a retired United States Army Captain and public affairs commentator. He reports from Egbema, Imo State, where he monitors developments in governance, democracy, and equity across southeastern Nigeria.
📧 Email: b.chuck.johnson@gmail.com

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