He made the remark while receiving the report of the Imo Elders Council, which was constituted to review the Charter of Equity guiding the rotation of the governorship position among Orlu, Okigwe, and Owerri zones.

Uzodinma stressed that Imo State would not tolerate any form of political domination or forceful takeover, insisting that fairness, inclusion, and consensus remain essential for sustaining peace and stability in the state.

Speaking at the Government House Banquet Hall in Owerri, the governor recalled the political tensions that followed the 2020 leadership crisis when he assumed office, noting that exclusion breeds resentment and instability.

He maintained that anyone denied justice is unlikely to support peace, adding that his administration is committed to building agreement among stakeholders to prevent political conflict.

The governor described the Elders Council as the moral compass of the state, explaining that it was legally established to provide non-partisan guidance in governance.

He also revealed plans to strengthen the law establishing the council to enhance its authority, including provisions to address misconduct among members where necessary.

Uzodinma reaffirmed that the Charter of Equity is designed to ensure fair distribution of political offices across the three zones and urged stakeholders to respect zoning arrangements to avoid unnecessary divisions.

He further reaffirmed the state’s alignment with the Federal Government and expressed appreciation for President Bola Tinubu’s support.

According to him, strict adherence to equity and justice would guarantee lasting peace and a smooth political transition in Imo State.

He added that the Charter of Equity is permanent and called on stakeholders to embrace dialogue, unity, and prayer while allowing divine guidance to shape outcomes.

Uzodinma also pledged continued consultations with stakeholders from all three senatorial zones to strengthen consensus and promote political stability in the state.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Elders Council, Eze Cletus Ilomuanya, commended the governor for fostering unity, noting that balanced development across all regions is key to sustainable progress.

Ilomuanya urged full implementation of the Charter of Equity through equitable appointments, fair distribution of projects, and equal opportunities across the state.

He described the charter as a framework for inclusiveness, where no part of the state is marginalised and leadership opportunities are open to all citizens.

The elder statesman also advised the governor to remain guided by fairness, justice, and peace in implementing the principles of the Charter of Equity.

The development, along with the dismissal of the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, was confirmed in a memo issued by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume.

According to the directive, Edun was instructed to hand over duties to Oyedele, while Dangiwa was directed to transfer responsibilities to Muttaqha Rabe Darma, who has been named minister-designate.

The Presidency did not provide specific reasons for the changes but stated that the cabinet reshuffle falls within the President’s constitutional powers as outlined in Sections 147 and 148 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

During his tenure, Edun played a key role in driving Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” economic agenda, which included the removal of fuel subsidy, foreign exchange reforms, and other fiscal and monetary policies. He had previously credited these reforms with contributing to economic growth of 4.07 percent in Q4 2025, up from 2 percent in 2023, while inflation reportedly declined to 15 percent from 22.04 percent.

Despite these improvements on paper, many Nigerians continue to face high living costs, particularly in food, transport, and essential goods.

His exit comes shortly after the International Monetary Fund revised Nigeria’s growth outlook downward to 4.1 percent from 4.3 percent, citing global economic pressures linked to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

Edun had recently returned from the World Bank/IMF Spring Meetings in Washington, where he maintained that Nigeria would not seek an IMF bailout despite external challenges, assuring continuity in domestic economic policies.

However, his sudden removal has raised concerns among investors and market observers.

Following the announcement, the naira weakened slightly, closing at N1,350.74 to the dollar, while the Nigerian Exchange Limited recorded an N88 billion gain, though this was lower than the previous day’s N609 billion increase.

Speaking on the development, Professor of Accounting and Finance at Lead City University, Godwin Oyedokun, said the situation should be assessed from both strategic and economic stability perspectives.

He noted that cabinet changes can reflect a government’s effort to reassess its policy direction and strengthen economic management, but warned that poorly communicated or abrupt decisions could create uncertainty.

According to him, investors are less concerned about individual officeholders and more focused on policy consistency, predictability, and institutional strength.

Oyedokun urged the government to ensure transparency and stability in economic communication going forward, stressing that these factors would determine investor confidence in the wake of the reshuffle.

The operation was conducted on the evening of Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at about 7:49 p.m. in the Marit general area near Doruwa Babuje, following credible intelligence on the movement of suspected criminal elements.

According to a military statement, the suspects were allegedly responsible for terrorising surrounding communities through violent attacks, sexual assault, and armed robbery.

Acting on the intelligence, troops set up an ambush and engaged the armed men in a gun duel. Two of the suspects were killed during the exchange, while others escaped into nearby bushes under the cover of darkness.

Following the operation, a search of the area led to the recovery of a locally fabricated rifle, five rounds of 7.62x39mm ammunition, a cutlass, a jackknife, and a mobile phone.

Security forces have since maintained a strong presence in Marit and Lajam villages to ensure the protection of residents, while efforts are ongoing to track and apprehend the fleeing suspects.

The statement added that troops remain deployed in the affected areas as part of sustained operations aimed at restoring peace and preventing further attacks.

The military also reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding lives and property, urging residents to stay vigilant and promptly report any suspicious activities to security agencies.