IMO GUBER 2027: THE FOCUS ON CHIEF CHARLES ORIE

From the beginning of this year, political discussions in Imo State centered on Chief Charles Orie. This humble giant and successful technocrat from the oil rich Ohaji clan of the old Owerri Province have continued to receive the endorsement of political structures both in Nigeria and the diaspora. 

As it is with legends, alot are being said about Chief Orie.Those who do not know him are consumed by speculations even as his name continues to drop in major social conversations home and abroad, as a man of class, calm and one who is generationally compliant. 

Everything Charles Orie touches turns to gold and, perhaps the reason progressive citizens of Imo State are earnestly routing for him to succeed his life time friend and ally, His Excellency Governor Hope Uzodimma. Senator Uzodimma and Chief Charles Orie are like the biblical David and Jonathan. The two noble men have kept their very convivial friendship till date even as Charles Orie gears up to contest in the 2027 imo Guber election.

Charles Orie, then a young Prince in Umuokane, was chosen by the entire people of Ohaji and presented before the traditional rulers of all the communities of the oil rich Kingdom who gathered to install him as their Traditional Prime Minister! This was about 30yrs ago when the young Charles was in his late 20s, and that was followed with several high profile chieftaincy titles by first class Monarchs across Nigeria that distinguished Charles Orie as a man of means and future leader.

Charles Orie is among the few people in this generation after God's heart as evidenced in everything about him. His qualifications, kind heartedness, enduring global social exposures endeared him as a civilized mind owing to his close touch with the diaspora.

 Loved by both old and young, this man has been a dependable platform for conflicts resolutions and political power negotiations. His integrity in keeping to agreements has been second to none and accorded awards as a bastion of peace and progress. 

The story of infrastructural development of the south East will not be complete without the mention of Charles Orie. He was part of the vision, as pacesetters in the journey to repatriating investment funds to the Igbo homeland that attracted development to igboland after the civil war. The fast growing real estate business in Igbo land is credited to Chief Charles Orie and his contemporaries who were pioneers of the AKURUO ULO mantra.   Imbibed with this spirit, in his entrepreneurial character as a renowned technocrat, he will surely perform wonders if he was voted in to serve as a Governor.

As the political landscape of Imo State continues to evolve, the name of Chief Charles Orie have gained serious momentum to the extent that leaders of all the political structures across Owerri, Okigwe and Orlu zones are coming to terms to go with him as the alternative to settling the tension that have already permeated the polity over implementation of the Charter of Equity. The stringent claims by Okigwe to go back to complete one term before Owerri zone will take their turn, has become a very contentious factor against the position of Imo Elders Council and adoption of the Imo state government that Owerri zone should succeed Governor Uzodimma. However, in settling for competence and capacity, credibility and other consideration, Charles Orie scaled the hurdle.

Meanwhile, as Senator Hope Uzodimma rightly stated during his recent meeting with leaders of Owerri zone at the government house Owerri, that he has been active at the national and State politics since 1999 and contributed to the negotiations that brought former Governor Achike Udenwa to power, Charles Orie was also in all the journeys with him. Both men have been mavericks in all their mutual engagements and remained in the same political camp till today and, perhaps the reason political analysts across Nigeria concluded that Governor Uzodimma may likely settle or prefers Charles Orie among  his choice of successor. 

Recalling the champions of democracy in Nigeria, Charles Orie is counted, given their collective roles in Nigeria's struggle to end military rule and also their efforts in the retirement of several sit tight politicians to make way for the younger generations. A seasoned boardroom guru and heavy financer of political movements  both at the State and national levels, there's no doubt that Chief Orie has the war chest to execute his 2027 governorship ambition. His wide network of contacts across Nigeria and beyond, is also a great advantage to him.

As it stands now in Imo State, non of the visible guber aspirants can beat Charles Orie in a free and fair election. A leader of men and experienced administrator, Orie made a mark with his innovative approach while he served as the Managing Director of the Imo State Oil Producing And Development Commission, ISOPADEC. His impressive records while he served in the  management of ISOPADEC demonstrated his ability to drive growth, foster collaboration, and bring about tangible results. His leadership style fostered inclusivity, transparency and accountability, earned him the respect and admiration of his people.

Orie's vision for Imo State is clear: ...to harness the State's vast potentials, sustain peace and security, enhance the Sam Mbakwe roadmaps of attracting world class infrastructural development, job creation and improve the lives of Imo citizens towards a brighter future. As proud supporters of Charlie Orie, we are confident that he has all it takes to become the next governor of Imo State. 

On the other hand, Senator Hope Uzodimma has done a great job in the areas of road construction, State infrastructural upgrade, connecting Imo State to the political national grid and still making efforts in forging peace and security across the State. Therefore, his successor must come with equivalent capacity to sustain improvement on these achievements. Given the prevailing security challenges in the State, a weak successor will plunge the State into the abyss! We should be reminded of the case of King David in the Bible who fought tremendous wars that distracted him from recording more milestones during his rulership especially as he was unable to complete construction of the Jerusalem Temple due to his limited time...but thank God for his well groomed and wise son Solomon who continued in the paths of David his father. 

This is the pattern and template Imo State must adopt in choosing our next Governor and that's our special appeal to Imo political leaders and voters. The coming of Charles Orie will be a divine blessing for Imo people, to continue with the ongoing solid infrastructural development by Senator Hope Uzodimma. Charles Orie is the round peg in the round hole because of his wealth of knowledge and capacity. He is fully accessible to everyone and has listening ears. As we know, his partners across the globe are ready to support his government. Imo needs a man like him, with capacity. 

As Governor Uzodimma soldiers on and consolidating his gains by defeating insecurity in Imo State, his successor must be a man of strength and courage who understands how to stabilize security while pushing on with infrastructural development strategies just as Governor is doing. The successor must possess the ability and contacts to attract global investors. Imo State needs a man who will help her to bounce back again. The people need to experience the bubbling of businesses and welfare. Our streets have to regain the shines and beauty of Owerri. Surely, Chief Charles Orie is the man.