OKIGWE YOUTHS VOW TO SECURE GOVERNORSHIP SLOT, REJECT FRESH PLOTS AGAINST CHARTER OF EQUITY
…Warn Politicians, Clergy, Traditional Rulers Against “Selling” Zone’s Interest
OKIGWE, IMO STATE — Rising from what they described as years of political marginalization and broken agreements, youths of Okigwe Zone have declared their determination to ensure that the zone produces the next Governor of Imo State, warning that any attempt to undermine this collective aspiration will be firmly resisted.
The position, which is gaining traction across the zone, is coming from the apex youth body, the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Okigwe Zone, under the leadership of Comrade Iwuchukwu Kelechi, who emphasized that the youth constituency can no longer remain silent while decisions affecting their collective future are taken without their consent.
In a strongly worded statement, the youths condemned ongoing clandestine moves by certain political actors to allegedly coerce leaders, clergy, and traditional rulers into signing documents that would renounce Okigwe Zone’s governorship interest, describing such actions as a betrayal of the highest order.
“We will not sit back and watch a few individuals mortgage the future of an entire zone. The youths of Okigwe are fully mobilized and ready to play a decisive role in ensuring that justice prevails,” the statement read.
CHARTER OF EQUITY UNDER SCRUTINY
At the heart of the agitation is the controversial Charter of Equity, an informal political arrangement designed to rotate the governorship of Imo State among the three zones—Okigwe, Orlu, and Owerri.
Stakeholders from Okigwe argue that the principle was disrupted in 2011, when the zone was unable to complete what many consider its rightful tenure. Since then, they say, the imbalance has continued to deny Okigwe fair representation in the state’s highest office.
The youths maintained that those who truncated the Charter of Equity are now attempting to manipulate it to suit their interests, insisting that such injustice must first be corrected before any new political arrangements are entertained.
ALLEGATIONS OF INDUCEMENT
The group further alleged that some influential figures are being induced with financial incentives to endorse communiqués that contradict earlier positions supporting Okigwe’s governorship bid.
They cautioned traditional rulers and religious leaders against yielding to such pressures, warning that history would judge harshly those who compromise the collective interest of the people for personal gain.
CLAIMS OF MARGINALIZATION
The statement painted a grim picture of development in Okigwe Zone, stressing that the area has suffered prolonged neglect compared to other zones in the state.
According to them, while other parts of Imo State have witnessed visible infrastructural growth and government presence, Okigwe has remained largely underdeveloped and politically sidelined, a situation they likened to the broader pattern of neglect experienced by the South-East region at the national level.
YOUTHS TAKE THE LEAD
Declaring a new phase of civic engagement, the Okigwe youths emphasized that they are no longer willing to remain passive in decisions affecting their future, noting that their resolve cuts across communities and political affiliations.
“This is not about any individual ambition. It is about justice, fairness, and equity. Okigwe has competent men and women who can lead Imo State effectively. What we demand is a fair chance,” the statement added.
They reiterated their readiness to mobilize and ensure that no agreement or arrangement that undermines Okigwe Zone’s interest will stand.
A CLEAR WARNING
The youths concluded with a firm warning that any son or daughter of Okigwe Zone who signs or supports documents contrary to the zone’s collective aspiration would face social and political consequences.
“No more betrayal. No more manipulation. Okigwe must rise,” they declared.
As political activities gradually build toward the next election cycle, attention is increasingly turning to how the debate around equity, justice, and zoning will ultimately shape the future leadership of Imo State.
