The Igbo have a saying that “Onye ekwe na-akpo nwere nke o na-eme.” Loosely translated, this means that the wooden gong does not call just anyone. Whoever it calls must have what it takes.

Figuratively, the wooden gong has had the name of Chief Charles Orie on its lips recently, from the rural communities of Imo State, the Eastern Heartland, to the high streets of Europe, the Americas, Asia and Australia. And for good reason.

Chief Charles Orie, an illustrious son of Umuokanne in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State, where he is also the Traditional Prime Minister, is the immediate past Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Imo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (ISOPADEC). But even before his appointment at ISOPADEC, where he served meritoriously until his resignation in August 2024, his name had already gone ahead of him. At that time, amid mounting tension over who would become the next Managing Director of ISOPADEC, the Ohaji-Egbema people had unanimously settled for Chief Charles Orie.

At a press conference in Owerri, the Imo State capital, on Tuesday, May 12, 2020, a group of Ohaji-Egbema indigenes led by Chief Martins Ejimnkonye passed a vote of confidence in Chief Charles Orie, whom they described as “a great asset to Ohaji-Egbema, Imo State and Nigeria at large, a man with less speech but full of action”, an exemplary leader.

On assumption of office in October 2020, Chief Orie promised to harness the natural and human resources that would bring about an increase in rural income, high productivity, economy diversification and general well-being of the people in the oil regions.

“It is not going to be a walk in the park as we have a lot to do,” he admitted. “However, I am here to serve at the pleasure of the governor and the great people of the oil producing areas of the state and by extension the whole of Imo State.”

He also expressed displeasure over the underdevelopment of the oil-producing areas occasioned by corruption and maladministration of ISOPADEC and its fund and promised that with him onboard, the narrative would change for good.

And from the moment he set his hands on the plough, he did not look back. Months down the line, Chief Orie disclosed in an interaction with the Special Adviser to Imo State Governor on Public Enlightenment, Prince Eze Ugochukwu, that between October 2024 when he came into office and December of that year, ISOPADEC had commissioned 13 projects across the oil-producing communities of the state, from branded solar street lights to solar-powered central water boreholes, health centres, police station, and so on.

“We awarded them towards the end of October and we completed 13 projects within my first 100 days in office because the governor of Imo State gave me a free hand to run ISOPADEC,” he said.

In September 2021, the Imo State chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) honoured him as the state patron of the association, citing his activities in grassroots sports development, including sponsoring football competitions in his community for decades.

In a tribute to Chief Orie on his 59th birthday in January 2025, titled “Charles Orie at 59: The Man, the Myth, and the Mystery”, Samuel Arinze, a political analyst, wrote, “His tenure at ISOPADEC was a beacon of hope for underserved communities, earning him widespread admiration. However, his resignation from the commission in 2024 sparked a wave of speculation. Many wondered why he stepped down from such a pivotal role. In retrospect, it appears Chief Orie’s decision was driven by a desire for self-renewal and a quest to broaden his horizons. His recent public appearances suggest he took this opportunity to embark on a sabbatical, engaging in a fact-finding mission to advanced societies to explore ideas that could enhance social constructs in Imo State and Nigeria at large.”

Just last weekend, his name came up again among Ndi Imo in the Diaspora who gathered at the Hyatt Regency Etoile in Paris, France. This time, they were urging him to “please declare your interest at the appropriate time and run” for the Imo governorship seat in 2027. The group, under the auspices of Imo Progressives for Change 2027, unanimously endorsed Chief Charles Orie as their preferred candidate for the 2027 Imo State governorship election, describing him as the Candidate of the Diaspora, a man of integrity, wisdom, humility, and deep connection with the people, a bridge builder and visionary with a clear understanding of global leadership standards, and a strong advocate for transformative governance and people-oriented leadership.

Earlier in March, Imo indigenes from across different countries of the world had also gathered in Toronto. Their mission: to urge Chief Charles Orie to run for the Imo governorship seat in 2027. Their argument was that it was time for the diaspora to produce the next governor. They emphasized that Chief Orie, who has been a dedicated member of the Nigerian Diaspora in Canada for years, is the right candidate for the job.

In his response to the recent call in France, Chief Orie, who goes by the title Akuatuegwu, described the invitation as “more than a recognition of my past efforts; it is a clarion call for a new kind of leadership — one anchored in integrity, innovation, and international best practices”.

“I have heard your voices loud and clear. I am truly humbled by your overwhelming call for me to join the governorship race. Your trust and encouragement mean more to me than words can express,” Chief Orie said.

“However, as we all know, the time for formal political declarations has not yet arrived, in accordance with electoral guidelines. I will wait patiently and respectfully for the appropriate moment to make an official pronouncement,” he said.

The day may still be young, but as events build up to Imo 2027, not just the Imo in Diaspora but also Imo people at home will be waiting eagerly to hear what decision Chief Charles Umuezurike Orie – a man to whom many have ascribed some of the best human qualities, from deep compassion to team spirit, wisdom, humility, excellent leadership, and many more – will take. And for many, they hope it would be positive.

*Chukwuebuka Oluigbo writes from Paris, France.