Chief Tony Chukwu, a billionaire businessman from Okigwe Zone in Imo State, has reignited the debate over the rotation of the governorship and the location of the state capital ahead of the 2028 elections. Speaking at a Palm Sunday lunch reception in Lagos organized for Imo State Governor Senator Hope Uzodimma by IT mogul Chief Leo Stan Eke, Chukwu challenged the claim by Owerri Zone to produce the next governor, insisting that it is the turn of Okigwe Zone to take the governorship seat.
Chief Chukwu argued that Okigwe Zone has been politically marginalized since 1999 and that the principle of power rotation should enable equitable development across the zones. He emphasized that most of the state’s financial allocations and developmental projects, including education, health, and social infrastructure, have been concentrated in Owerri Zone, leaving Okigwe lagging behind in human development indices compared to Owerri and Orlu Zones.
In a bold proposal, Chukwu suggested that if Owerri Zone insists on producing the next governor, it should concede the state capital to Okigwe Zone. He maintained that both the governorship and hosting of the capital city are integral parts of the Imo State Charter of Equity conversations, which aim to ensure fairness in political power distribution and development.
Chukwu’s intervention took many by surprise and added a new dimension to the ongoing discussions about Imo’s political future. His call for reflection during the solemn Lenten season urged Imo people to consider Okigwe’s rightful place in the state’s power rotation.
The event was attended by prominent traditional rulers, including Eze Ilomuanya, Chairman of the Imo Council of Elders, and Eze Dr. Oliver Ohanwe, Chairman of the Okigwe Elders Global Forum, alongside captains of industry and other dignitaries. The host, Chief Leo Stan Eke, and his wife, Mrs. Chioma Eke, provided lavish entertainment in honor of Governor Uzodimma and his entourage.
This development signals a growing demand from Okigwe Zone for political recognition and equitable resource distribution, setting the stage for intense political negotiations as the 2028 governorship election approaches.
