As the debate on the charter of equity continues in Imo State ahead of the 2027 governorship election, another Owerri Zone leader, Architect Amaugo Ugorji, has lent his voice to the ongoing discourse, noting that he wouldn’t mind another tenure for Okigwe Zone.
Elder statesman and former Chairman of old Owerri Local Government, Architect Amaugo Ugorji, intervened in the raging debate over which zone should produce Governor Hope Uzodimma’s successor come 2027, stating that although the charter of equity is desirable due to the current level of development, good governance must remain the priority.
Ugorji, a fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Architects and former chairman of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), hails from Owerri Zone. He shared his perspective on the contentious issue of the Charter of Equity in Imo State politics and its relationship to good governance in an interview with reporters in Owerri.
Speaking on good governance, Ugorji recalled the days of the Ohakim ‘clean and green revolution’: “During [Ohakim’s] time, Imo State almost regained its excellence in being the cleanest environment because the man there was focused on that, and he drove it with gusto,” he said.
As a native of Owerri Zone, Ugorji admitted his inherent bias towards his homeland and expressed support for the moral agreement of the Charter of Equity as proposed by the Imo State Elders Council, which suggests that the successor to the incumbent governor should come from Owerri. However, he emphasized that his ultimate goal is to see good governance, regardless of the governor’s origin.
“The only reason I even propagated it was because of the level of our development. I made the distinction that if we were right in our attitudes and moral levels, I don’t care who rules me.”
Intriguingly, despite his stance on the Charter, Ugorji stated that he would not oppose the potential reemergence of former governor Ikedi Ohakim, even though Ohakim hails from Okigwe Zone. Ugorji praised Ohakim’s performance during his previous term, saying, “I have nothing against Ohakim. If he becomes the governor, that’s okay because I have seen part of the good things he has done. Everybody has areas that need to be cleaned up and straightened, but I acknowledge the good ones he did. So, if, by some circumstance, he becomes governor again, I’m not going to be angry, I wouldn’t mind. At least one area I’m sure the state will benefit is coming back as one of the cleanest cities in the country.”
Ugorji’s willingness to break with his zonal bias in favour of a candidate who has demonstrated good governance even if he comes from Okigwe Zone is an emerging pattern among influential persons in Owerri.
Bob Njemanze, another notable elder statesman from Owerri Zone, had been more blunt, calling on his Owerri relatives to outright support former governor Ikedi Ohakim’s return to power as the shortest and most viable path to returning the governor’s office to the Owerri Zone.
Having served a full term as governor, Ohakim is constitutionally limited to only one more term.
While Ugorji believes the Charter of Equity is necessary given the current level of development, his ultimate vision is a society where fair competition and merit-based evaluation take precedence.
“I am okay with who governs me at any level as long as the environment is conducive for a fair practice. And for Ikedi Ohakim, I dont have a problem with him. He is a good person, and I dont have a problem with him becoming governor again,” Ugorji stated.
