2028 Imo guber: Media group OZOMPA backs Charter of Equity
Vows to support only a credible Owerri Zone candidate, Pays familiarisation visit to Edge Express Newspaper office.
By Chimezie Ezeji
The Owerri Zone Media Practitioners Association (OZOMPA) has declared its unwavering support for the Charter of Equity, describing the arrangement as the most practical pathway to equity, fairness and political inclusion in Imo State.
Picture caption: From left; Dan Opara ( Danjay), Publisher, The Pressman News Online, Reuben Nwankwo, Reporter, Lead Express Newspaper, Nnamdi Iheagwam, Senior Reporter, The Big Truth Newspaper, Jotham Emenyonu ( Thamah), Publisher, Edge Express Newspaper, Comrade Chinedu Opara, Senior Editor, Newspoint Newspaper, Ebenezer Ojor, Political Editor, Newspoint Newspaper, and Ikechukwu Ozurumba ( Iyke Oz), Senior Reporter, Nigerian Horn Newspaper
The association, however, maintained that while it fully supports the emergence of the next governor from Owerri Zone in 2028, it will only identify with and support a credible, competent and widely acceptable candidate capable of providing quality leadership for the state, irrespective of political party affiliation.
The position was made known on Thursday, July 9, 2026, when the Executive Members of OZOMPA, led by its Chairman, Comrade Chinedu Opara, paid a familiarisation visit to the Publisher of Edge Express Newspaper, Comrade Jotham Emenyonu, at his office in Ikenegbu, Owerri.
The visit formed part of the association’s ongoing engagements with media organisations owned by indigenes of Owerri Zone, aimed at strengthening professional relationships, promoting unity among journalists, and mobilising support for issues affecting the zone.
Speaking during the visit, Comrade Opara commended Emenyonu for his prompt identification with the association and for his continued commitment to the ideals of professional journalism.
He described the Edge Express Publisher as one of Owerri Zone’s outstanding media personalities whose contributions to journalism and public discourse have continued to advance the image of the zone.
Opara also praised Emenyonu for consistently using his newspaper and digital media platforms to advocate the Charter of Equity, noting that the principle has become a rallying point for justice, fairness and balanced political representation in Imo State.
According to him, the Charter of Equity, championed by Governor Hope Uzodimma and supported by the Imo Elders Council, is intended to preserve harmony among the three geopolitical zones of the state by ensuring a fair rotation of the governorship seat.
He stressed that after years of political agitation, the widespread acceptance of the Charter of Equity has renewed hope among the people of Owerri Zone that the governorship will rotate to the zone in 2028.
“The Charter of Equity is not about favouring one individual over another,” Opara said. “It is about justice, equity and giving every zone a sense of belonging. It promotes political stability, reduces unnecessary rivalry and strengthens the unity of Imo State.”
He added that OZOMPA fully aligns itself with the Charter because it reflects the collective aspiration of Ndi Owerri Zone and serves the broader interest of peace and fairness.
While reiterating the association’s support for the Charter, Opara emphasised that zoning alone would not be enough.
“We are committed to the Charter of Equity, but we also believe that competence, integrity, capacity and credibility must remain the determining factors. Whoever eventually emerges as the candidate from Owerri Zone must possess the qualities required to move Imo State forward.”
He therefore urged political parties to conduct transparent nomination processes and present candidates with proven character, leadership ability and the capacity to unite the people.
Opara further assured that OZOMPA would continue to champion professionalism, ethical journalism and responsible media practice while supporting initiatives that advance the collective interest of Owerri Zone and Imo State.
He also reaffirmed the association’s readiness to collaborate with media stakeholders and institutions to strengthen journalism practice across the nine Local Government Areas of Owerri Zone.
Responding, the Publisher of Edge Express Newspaper, Jotham Emenyonu, expressed appreciation to the leadership of OZOMPA for the visit, describing it as timely and encouraging.
He reiterated his commitment to partnering with the association in promoting ethical journalism, capacity building and the welfare of media practitioners.
According to him, journalism must remain a platform for truth, justice and responsible advocacy.
“We are all journalists, and we must continue to uphold the ethics of our profession. We must remain objective, professional and committed to publishing factual and balanced reports. There is also an urgent need to sanitise the profession by discouraging the activities of fake journalists,” he said.
On the Charter of Equity, Emenyonu described it as one of the most significant political understandings capable of fostering lasting peace and unity in Imo State.
He commended Governor Hope Uzodimma for standing firmly behind the initiative and acknowledged the role played by the Imo Elders Council in promoting the consensus.
“The Charter of Equity has come to stay because it represents fairness and inclusiveness. Every section of the state deserves a sense of belonging. Now that the baton has been passed to Owerri Zone, our people must remain united, avoid unnecessary divisions and rally behind a credible candidate who can sustain development and move Imo State to greater heights,” he stated.
Emenyonu also disclosed plans to organise workshops, seminars, media training programmes and other capacity-building initiatives for journalists from the nine Local Government Areas of Owerri Zone, with opportunities to extend such programmes to practitioners across the 27 Local Government Areas of Imo State.
He urged members of OZOMPA to remain focused, progressive, unbiased and committed to excellence in the discharge of their professional responsibilities.
The Executive Members of OZOMPA who participated in the visit included Comrade Chinedu Opara, Chairman and Senior Editor of Newspoint Newspaper; Nnamdi Iheagwaram, Vice Chairman and Senior Reporter of The BigTruth Newspaper; Reuben Nwankwo, Secretary and Senior Reporter of Lead Express Newspaper; Ikechukwu Ozurumba (Iyke Oz), Financial Secretary and Senior Reporter of Nigerian Horn Newspaper; and Dan Opara (Danjay), Public Relations Officer/Organising Secretary and Publisher of ThePressman News Online.
The familiarisation visit, marked by warm interactions, strategic discussions and the exchange of ideas on the future of journalism and Owerri Zone, is the first in a series of planned engagements with media organisations owned by indigenes of Owerri Zone across Imo State.
The visit ended with a group photograph, symbolising unity, professional solidarity and a shared commitment to advancing journalism while supporting the collective aspiration of Owerri Zone under the Charter of Equity.
