The Imo State government has said that the Charter of Equity, a gentleman agreement reached by the three senatorial zones in the state with the aim of ensuring equitable rotation and balancing of power in the state is not a law.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information, Strategy and Public Orientation, Declan Emelumba and made available to the press.
Emelumba, also stated that sequel to a bill forwarded to the Imo State House of Assembly by governor Uzodinma, the House has enacted a law that gives the Imo Council of Elders legal backing.
The statement reads thus, “the attention of the Imo State Government has been drawn to a misrepresentation of facts by a section of the media regarding comments made by His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodimma, Governor of Imo State, during a courtesy call on Monday, 10th March, by leaders and stakeholders of Owerri Zone.
For the avoidance of doubt, at no time did His Excellency state that the Imo Charter of Equity had been passed into law by the Imo State House of Assembly.
Rather, His Excellency emphasised the importance of the Imo Elders Council as an agent of peace and unity in the state. Consequently, he forwarded a bill for its establishment to the House of Assembly, which was subsequently passed into law, thereby creating the Imo Elders Council.
For clarity, His Excellency never said that the Imo Charter of Equity was sent to the House of Assembly for passage into law. The Imo Charter of Equity is, therefore, not a law.
Imo people should take note and be guided accordingly”.
