The Ekwerazu Leadership Forum, ELF, has rejected Hon. Nnanna Igbokwe, Hon. Martins Emeka Chinedu and other candidates who are running for positions in the 2027 general election against the zoning arrangements that have guided rotation of elective offices since the return of democracy in 1999.
The Forum also insisted that the next representatives for the Ahiazu/Ezinihitte Mbaise Federal Constituency, the Ahiazu State Constituency and the Executive Chairman of Ahiazu Mbaise Council should be from Ekwerazu clan.
“In view of the foregoing, the Forum unanimously resolved that, in accordance with the established zoning arrangements, the following positions should next be occupied by indigenes of Ekwerazu:
“The member representing the Ahiazu Mbaise/Ezinihitte Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives in the 2027 election;
“The member representing the Ahiazu Mbaise State Constituency in the Imo State House of Assembly in the 2027 election; and
“The Executive Chairman of Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government Area in the 2026 local government election,” the ELF, said.
The Forum added that it considered its position to be the logical and equitable application of the established principle of rotation.
These were resolutions taken at the Forum’s Quarterly Meeting hosted on August 17, 2026 by Mpam community and contained in the communique issued after the meeting.
The communique was signed by the Chairman of the forum, Engr. Charles Onu; Secretary, Hon. Cyril Nwokeke and representatives of Oparanadim, Mpam, Nnemere Mpam Ihitteafukwu, Okirika Nweke and Obohia.
Calling for the recognition of Ekwerazu as an integral part of the federal and state constituencies as well as the Ahiazu Mbaise Council, the ELF restated its commitment to the established zoning arrangements and understandings governing the rotation of elective political offices among the constituent communities.
“In particular, the Forum recognizes: The established macro-zoning arrangement between Ahiazu Mbaise and Ezinihitte Mbaise in respect of the Federal Constituency;
“The established micro-zoning arrangement between Ahiara and Ekwerazu within Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government Area in respect of positions allocated to Ahiazu Mbaise;
“That, in keeping with the established rotation arrangement, the Ahiara Clan currently occupies both the office of Executive Chairman of Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government Area and the Ahiazu Mbaise State Constituency seat in the Imo State House of Assembly, having occupied the latter position for two consecutive legislative terms, amounting to eight years;
“That, pursuant to the established macro-zoning understanding between Ahiazu Mbaise and Ezinihitte Mbaise, which provides for a maximum of eight years for each side, an indigene of Ezinihitte currently represents the Ahiazu Mbaise/Ezinihitte Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives and, upon completion of the current legislative term in June 2027, will have served for two terms, amounting to eight years;
“That the last occasion when the Ahiazu Mbaise/Ezinihitte Federal Constituency seat was allocated to Ahiazu Mbaise, from 2011 to 2019, the Ahiara Clan occupied the position for two consecutive terms, amounting to eight years.”
The Ekwerazu Leadership Forum maintained that its position was not motivated by personal interest, partisan politics, hostility towards any individual, or opposition to any political party.
“Rather, it is founded on the long-established principles of equity, fairness, reciprocity and mutual respect underpinning the zoning arrangements between Ekwerazu and Ahiara Clans within Ahiazu Mbaise, and between Ahiazu Mbaise and Ezinihitte Mbaise at the Federal Constituency level.
“The Forum believes that adherence to these arrangements is essential to preserving mutual trust, political stability and peaceful coexistence among the constituent communities.”
The Forum called on all Ekwerazu stakeholders, political leaders, aspirants, party members, community leaders, professionals, youths and other persons of influence to uphold and protect the established zoning principle.
“Accordingly, the Forum appeals to all persons of Ekwerazu descent to ensure that their political activities and choices are guided by the collective interest of the clan and by the established agreements governing the rotation of political offices,” the Forum said.
The ELF also appealed to eligible voters of Ekwerazu to ensure that, while exercising their rights to vote freely, they should resist attempts to undermine the rotation principle in the constituencies
“The Forum calls on all eligible voters of Ekwerazu to remain steadfast in upholding the established zoning arrangement and to resist attempts to undermine or circumvent the principle of rotation.
“The Forum urges members to exercise their constitutional right to vote freely and responsibly, while ensuring that their political choices are consistent with the collective interest and longstanding agreements of Ekwerazu,” the Forum stated.
The ELF warned persons of Ekwerazu descent that working against the zoning arrangement would mean forfeiting political support of the Forum and its members.
“The Forum further resolved that any person of Ekwerazu descent who deliberately and actively works against the established zoning arrangement, particularly by seeking to undermine the collective position of Ekwerazu in respect of the offices covered by this resolution, may forfeit the political support, recognition and cooperation of the Forum and its members.
“This position is intended not as a punitive measure, but as an expression of the Forum’s determination to preserve the collective political interest of Ekwerazu and ensure compliance with mutually accepted principles of political rotation,” the ELF said.
Calling the leaders of Ahiara and Ezinihitte not to allow the interest of a few individuals to undermine the peace rotation of offices in the constituent communities, the EFL emphasized the long-standing arrengement has served as foundation for equity, unity, stability and peaceful coexistence.
“The EFL therefore urges all stakeholders to continue to respect the principles of equity, justice, fairness, reciprocity and fidelity to mutually agreed political arrangements, in the collective interest of Ahiazu Mbaise, Ezinihitte Mbaise and, indeed, the entire Mbaise community.”
The Ekwerazu Leadership Forum is a group of professionals from diverse fields, politicians across all registered political parties who are indigenes of Ekwerazu, teachers, businessmen and women, trade union leaders, community leaders and other stakeholders.
Leave a Reply