THE Imo Charter of Equity, just like similar versions in other states of the country, underlines the need to rotate key political offices among the constituent parts of the State. The whole purpose is to secure equity, justice and fairness which many people acclaim are fundamental to good neighbourliness and sustenance of peace and democracy in the country.

But while in many states events point in the direction of an amicable settlement in the choice of zones where key political parties, particularly the ruling party, will choose governorship candidates in the 2015 elections from, Imo appears headed for conflagration.

The 1999 Constitution with all its amended versions even with all the provisions for fundamental rights and privileges and fairness does not expressly accommodate rotation of political offices and therefore cannot be relied upon to enforce it. Again, the stakeholders agreement which is often bandied by politicians across the divide is about the most dreaded lexicon of deceit in the political circle today. Such an agreement even where it is written does not have the force of law and all attempts since the return of democratic rule in 1999 to define the word stakeholder in the context of general elections have drawn blank.

The absence of a dominant political party in the state today that can enforce the zoning formula and still coast home with victory is a major challenge. None of the existing parties can be too sure to win the next election.

In Imo, there is a sitting governor who emerged in 2011 principally because the raging hurricane at the time had a sole propelling force of flouncing the then occupant of the Owerri Government House. In that state of emergency as it were, as Shakespeare would say, no one could be wise, amazed, temperate and furious, loyal and neutral at the same time. So Owelle Rochas Okorocha emerged as governor even though he is from Orlu zone as Chief Achike Udenwa who completed two terms of eight years in 1997. Though Okorocha has a good score card, Owerri zone makes claim to the governorship position, being the only zone that has not produced a governor since the return of democratic rule in 1999.

The claim by the people of Owerri zone is legitimate, moral and undisputable and is indeed attainable. It is not therefore surprising that some politicians from the area are somewhat assertive as preparations for the 2015 elections gather momentum. But being a human set up and indeed politics in this clime there is no rigid pattern. The incumbent would want to do a second term which the constitution permits and which is at easier reach than pursuing a higher position with greater landmines.

In the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, which appears the major party to give the incumbent All Progressives Congress, APC, a fight, the names of Chief Emeka Ihedioha, the Deputy Speaker of the House of representatives, resonates; so also Chief Bethel Amadi and a few others from Owerri zone. From the same party Chief hope Uzodinma, the senator representing Orlu zone, is leaving no one in doubt of his zeal for the position. The All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, is also a contending party. But like I noted in an earlier piece, the party must recover fully from the drift of the exit of the incumbent governor who won the ticket on its platform for that single stroke decapitated the party.

The dilemma of the Imo Charter of Equity today is the dilemma of an Owerri man becoming governor. The position is not given but taken. Therefore, any zone, indeed anyone who desires the position must work hard, really hard for it. This is why Ihedioha from Mbaise in the zone excites. He has not left anyone in doubt of his desire to take a shot at the position and is working at it. His antecedents make him a strong contender. Since he was elected a member of the House of Representatives in 1999 he has discharged and acquitted himself creditably.

There are nine members and three senators representing the state in the National Assembly. In any of the dispensations, Ihedioha has shown tact and sagacity in office and indeed stands out. He has not been involved in cross-carpeting and flirting with parties. It is therefore apposite for him to ask for a higher political office. But he need not be reminded that the task is indeed daunting and therefore requires tenacity of purpose. It is only hoped that other contenders from the zone can put their shoulders to the wheel.

But again I state that the Owerri spirit must move before any candidate can unseat an incumbent governor in the state. What is the Owerri spirit? It is a propelling force that galvanises residents of Owerri, including non-natives in an almost unanimous manner towards a cause. Owing to the compact nature of the state, the pool of governmental and educational institutions, the peaceful and beautiful atmosphere and centrality of the capital city, all the 27 local government areas of the state have sizeable numbers of their people living in Owerri. Therefore, the consensus of opinion in the capital and its tendencies somewhat reflect the position of the entire state. When the Owerri spirit moves, the people rise in unison and almost spontaneously to reject an existing order and foist a new one.

The Owerri spirit is usually provoked, somewhat like an emphatic statement that enough is enough. The potency of such a force has severally been tested and proven. From experience, it is not enough for any candidate to whip up sentiments and expect to rouse the Owerri spirit and use it to fight a cause such as to unseat a governor. The incumbent must provoke the spirit by his actions or inactions such as underperformance, arbitrariness or arrogance that the people wish to get him out by all means.

In Imo today even the blind can feel the new order through the administration of Okorocha. Three years on, as someone who grew up and studied in various schools in the state since its creation and visits home regularly, I have observed independently without any contact with Okorocha or his aides under any guise, that some good has come to Imo.

COLLINS OBIBI a media professional, wrote from Lagos.