Why all must embrace Imo Charter of Equity – Nze Ozichukwu Chukwu; Speaks on role of the Church

Nze Ozichukwu Chukwu, a two-time member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s National Working Committee (NWC) and member of the Imo Elders Council granted some journalists an interview recently on goings on in his party, the PDP.

In the engagement, he gave a glimpse into why he has not been playing frontline roles in the PDP’s governorship campaign in his home state, Imo, as well as why all Imo people must support the State’s Charter of Equity.

Here are excerpts of the interview.

Q: Sir, you have not been visible in PDP activities in recent times.

A: You are quite right. I am not a member of the campaign council.

Q: Why is this so if I may ask?

A: I have very strong reservations concerning the Party’s conduct of the 2023 Presidential Primary. As a two time member of the old PDP National Working Committee (1999 – 2008), I felt obliged to defend the fundamental principles of our great party the PDP. My non participation in the campaigns is one of the outcomes.

Q: Oh Yes. We heard of your heroic stand and how you stood your grounds against the injustices visited on the Igbo. Most of those Igbo people who attacked you on behalf of their pay masters have left the PDP. Kudos Sir, it was a rare act of courage and patriotism.

A: Well, our values and expectations are different. I didn’t see it as an Igbo affair. I just felt the spirit and letters of the PDP Constitution were grossly violated. However, they did their best under the circumstance. We were bound to defend the truth and ensure that the leadership will do right things right. But they felt that they were holding party positions and were under righteous obligation because of their oaths of Office and Allegiance. We are all working towards the same goal of national integration.

Q: What of Imo State? Senator Sam Daddy is your friend?

A: Unarguably, yes. You are quite right. It has nothing to do with our friendship. My friend, Most Distinguished Senator Sam Daddy, my very dear friends Rt. Hon Dr Jones Onyeriri, Rt. Hon Emeka Ihedioha CON, (Omenke Ahuruanya); Hon Bar Chris Okewulonu (Ebekuo); the PDP Elders, De Ambu Ejiogu, our highly respected Sir Osita Nwaneri, the irrepressible advocate, distinguished Bar Peter Mgbemena, etc all know my very principled stand on Rotation and Zoning. It is nothing personal. My position is public knowledge. It is neither to hurt nor to harm anyone. To me, defending the fundamental principles of the party, the PDP is as important as our friendship. We have to achieve a convergence and strike a balance for sustainability and intergenerational equity. And that is where the Imo Charter of Equity comes handy in the Spirit of PDP as the melting pot. Sen Ayu will tell you my encounter at the PDP Secretariat when Imo State members went for an aborted peace meeting. Sen Sam Daddy, I am sure, will recall it because both of them were sitting together. I assured them that we will meet where there is no darkness. They sent me to go and help conduct guber primary in one of the states and I declined. And we can remain, as the Motto of Stella Maris College, Port Harcourt demands of us, Semper et ubique Fidelis (Always and Everywhere Faithful) to our oaths and promises. Let me tell you, we are not doing Gov Hope (Uzodimma) any favours, nor doing anything special to Orlu people. We are rather doing favours to ourselves, offloading our future burdens, investing in goodwill and resolving recurring problems and saving for posterity.

Q: Please Sir, what are these Principles?

A: Rotation and Zoning. The Party is quite aware of my views and taking steps to resolve it. Until then it’s “sidon de look” for me.

Q: How is the campaign going in Imo?

A: Again, I am not a member of the Imo PDP Guber Campaign Council. I am focused on the activities of the Imo Elders Council of which I am a member. Before us now are the Charter of Equity, Security, programs and projects that will be youth centric.

Q: I did not see you in any of the Advocacy visits to the Zones.

A: You are quite right. Anyone who knows me, knows that I am a very strong advocate of Rotation and Zoning. I was engaged in another assignment of the same nature, weight, value and significance; and for the same purpose in a different constituency. I therefore strongly identify with the Imo Charter of Equity. In Ihitte/Uboma where I come from we hold on to our Charter of Equity very religiously. It’s in the minds of everyone. You challenge it at very great risk and grave consequences.

Q: Sir, the PDP is in opposition in Imo but very hopeful in the Nov 11 Gubernatorial Election. What is your take?

A: You are quite right, it is in opposition. Do not forget that it was self inflicted. We saw it coming, raised alarm but the leadership was seduced by filty lucre. To me, effective opposition must also be reflective and efficient. It is not synonymous with grandstanding or self infatuation. It requires crawling out of your shell for robust sociopolitical engagements. More importantly, he or she who seeks equity must go with clean hands. A week ago or thereabouts, during the South East Economic and Security Summit here in Owerri, I took some friends to Hungry man Restaurant for lunch. Fortunately, I met De Charlie Ugwu and Hon Uche Onyeaguocha in the restaurant. I can’t remember when last I met or spoke to De Charlie. So in that chance meeting, I took him through memory lane and the conflicts and contradictions he represents. He knows that the position he is occupying rightly belongs to Okigwe North Federal Constituency. If you want to gather honey, you do not kick over the bee hive. He knows that what they did was an aberration, a travesty. Every member of the party must respect the PDP Constitution which states clearly that we must adhere to Rotation and Zoning at all levels and at all times. Unfortunately, very few politicians are altruistic deep thinkers and great actors; not transactional nor driven by the seductive glamour of office or by pecuniary motives. My belief in the Imo Charter of Equity is unshakable. It reflects my upbringing and cherished values. There should be hope for every Imolite to aspire to the governorship when his/her time is due. I remind my people in Ihitte/Uboma that Rotation is imbedded in our history and defines our lives.
History beckons. The time is now to embrace The Imo Charter of Equity. If you don’t commit to it, you will not benefit from it. I remind us again of the immortal words of The Poet, that “Everyday that comes and goes; Everywhere the river flows; Like the morning and the day; Says to you and says to me; Never more will come this way.” In whatever circumstance you find yourself, recall Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Act 1 Scene 3; where and when King Claudius’ Chief Minister, Polonius, while blessing his son, Laertes, advised him on how to behave in the university: “To thine own self be true.” .

Q: What are the aims of the Imo Charter of Equity?

A: The Charter of Equity aims to achieve orderliness, peace and stability. To foster a sense of belonging, unity, equity, fairness, justice, inclusiveness, oneness and shared values among the various communities in Imo State. It aims to promote mutual love and respect, understanding, collective sense of ownership, tolerance, acceptance and accommodation among the people irrespective of religious beliefs, political affiliations, and socio-cultural differences.

Q: How do we achieve unity in Imo State?

A: We do so by deliberately promoting shared sense of values, caring and sharing, identity, neighbourliness, honesty, sincerity, mutual love and friendship and unity of purpose. As long as they breath life and dynamism.

Q: What can undermine the peace and unity of Imo State?

A: Any attempt to dominate the state by any zone in every level of elective and appointive positions; and every aspect of public life will ultimately undermine the unity of any society, Imo inclusive. This is true. In a democracy, the people form the building blocks and it is the effective and efficient management of their sensitivities and sensibilities that strengthen the power structure that fosters unity. Everyone matters. If we toy with the youths, we toy with our future. I thank the Governor and Leo Stan for what they are doing to Skillup our youths. There should be a Youth Entrepreneurship Development Fund as well as an Education Loan Scheme.

Q: What are the benefits of Unity?

A: Well, I think they include joint dynamic co-evolution and peaceful co-existence; mutual trust, cooperation and complementarity. These are some of the bedrocks of a peaceful, progressive and prosperous society. They guarantee society’s growth and development. They concurrently stimulate industrial initiatives, job creation and employment generation. The multipliers will cushion and absorb the shocks of societal maladies. As the psalmist said, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” Psalm 133:1.
As Apostle Paul told the Thessalonians, “Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing” (1 Thess. 5:11).

Q: Will the notion of ‘our turn’ not translate to WINNER-TAKES-ALL?
A: I don’t think so, especially when you bear in mind that with the Charter instituted, firmly rooted and entrenched, people will always bear in mind: Hodie Mihi, Cras Tibi (Mine today, yours tomorrow). That will serve as a positive, active and forceful restraint. It is not meant to favour any particular person, class nor place. As far as I am concerned, the Imo Elders Council is political but not partisan. They have crafted and adopted the Imo Charter of Equity with all its imperfections out of good will for Ndimo and Ndigbo. It is a living document with the Principle of Rotation and Zoning deeply imbedded. Other details will be worked out but will not alter or change the key principles of the Charter. The other things left for the Imo Elders Council to do, will be to design a BASKET of positions that will go together with The Charter to each of the Zones. They owe it to themselves as individuals and as a collective to always speak truth to power. That translates to collegial leadership; forestalls silo thinking and advances mutual mission. In fact, a lively and responsible Elders Council at any moment in time will endeavour to promote effective checks and balances in government whether it is of vertical or horizontal leadership orientation without constituting itself into a parallel government or a stumbling block to governance. In that way they remain facilitators and not agitators; they will be the governor’s Third Eye but not try to block any of his two eyes. The three ZONAL BASKETS will be drawn from : (1) Gov; D/Gov; Speaker; (2) Minister; Ambassador; NASS Principal Officer; (3) Chairman, Federal Board; Federal Boards; Presidential Advisers; State Commissions and strategic boards, etc. This holds the promises of BALANCE OF POWER without compromising the efficacy of Executive Powers of the Governor or hijacking the roles of the establishment or its institutions.

Q: The Church has a great role to play in the politics of Imo. How do you see it playing that role?

A: Very well. Infact it is the Church that has reinvented the Imo Charter of Equity. The Primate of the Methodist Church, The Metropolitan of the Owerri Ecclesiastical Province Anglican Communion, the CAN were the brains behind the present Imo Charter of Equity. They are very passionate about the peace, love, hope and progress in Imo State. The Charter of Equity will bring hope to every zone. It will no longer be in an environment of chaos but rather an ordered environment. We all look on with hope. As they say in Latin: “Credula est spes improba” (He that lives in hope dances without music).

Q: Why is this so?

A: Blessed Assurance. When the Imo Charter of Equity was mentioned at the meeting of the Council of Elders, I rose up and opposed it. I did not oppose it because I do not like it. I opposed it because rotation is clockwise and not anti clockwise. I felt a lack of sincerity and was driven by a sense of history. After listening to many of them I still did not feel convinced. But overtime, I engaged with quite a number and noticed their commitments to the cause of justice, equity, fairness and inclusiveness. They have realised their mistakes and the gross injustice to Okigwe people by their collective blunder in removing Gov Ikedi Ohakim. Injustice to one is injustice to all. However, “to err is human. Forgiveness is Divine.” Life is not only about give and take but full of ambiguities and absurdities, uncertainties and adversities, ups and downs, turns and twists; best lived with forgiveness and forbearance, sacrifice and service.
I am excited by the pivotal role the Church is playing now in this regard. Recall that it was the church that truncated the initial flow of the original Imo Charter of Equity. Fortunately, it is the Church that today has reinvented the present Imo Charter of Equity which has been adopted by the Imo Elders Council and the generality of Imo people and those who wish Imo well. The Ohakim administration may be said to be a sad replay of the titanic. It suffered a string of fiascos, and a heavy upper cut from the deadly conspiracy of political elites spearheaded as I said by the Church. To many, he got what he deserved. Yet it cannot be said to be the worst government in the history of civilian management and administration of Imo State. I am so happy with the turn of events. No doubt, all will soon buy into it as it will build goodwill and a better, more productive and sustainable relationship. Its implementation will be beneficial to all concerned. The earlier one was truncated in a most nefarious manner with the vicious impetus, impressive delicacy and skill reminiscent of an organised crime syndicate. Unknown to the Church, they used it as a vehicle. We thank God for this timely act of restitution. We must ensure that in future no one will try to derail it without grave consequences.

Q: Why is the Catholic Archbishop of Owerri rather quiet and not attending the meetings of The Imo Council of Elders?

A: I am not worthy to speak for him and have no mandate to do that. He has well trained and capable hands to respond on his behalf. Moreover, he has a Chancellor and Director of Communications among others you can approach for appropriate responses.
However, I don’t think he is silent or not bothered about the happenings in Imo. Silence itself speaks louder than voice. I heard he was due to travel to Rome for a long Synod. Remember that he is not only the Catholic Archbishop of Owerri Archdiocese. He is also the Administrator of Ahiara Catholic Diocese, Metropolitan of Owerri Ecclesiastical Province, President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria etc. His hands are full but very often I read from the press what efforts he has been making to get the political leadership to do right things right. He talks of values and virtues, society and security. Yawning gaps, transformative and productive Youth engagements. The church has continued to play pivotal roles in education, health and positive social change. Everything about government and governance is dialogue. With openness and dialogue, in spirit and in truth, you will never go wrong.