South-East leaders and stakeholders resident in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Tuesday formally endorsed Chief Martin Agbaso as their preferred candidate for the 2027 Imo State governorship election, insisting that the seat must return to Owerri Zone in the interest of equity and justice.
The endorsement was made at the South-East Leaders and Stakeholders’ Forum in Abuja. Chairman of the group and retired Director of the Police Service Commission, Nze Emmanuel Ibe, said the gathering was deliberately organised to mobilise support for Agbaso, whom he described as the man denied his mandate in the controversial 2007 governorship election.
Ibe recalled that the people of Imo State voted massively for Agbaso in 2007, only for the result to be cancelled over alleged violence in some areas. He questioned why the governorship poll was annulled while the House of Assembly election conducted the same day by the same electorate was upheld.
“That was injustice, particularly for the people of Owerri Zone,” Ibe declared. He noted that since the return to democracy in 1999, Owerri Zone has not enjoyed a sustained opportunity to produce the governor, save for the brief tenure of former Governor Emeka Ihedioha, which was truncated.
“That is why they are beckoning on this man who was denied his mandate way back in 2007 to come forward and take up this mandate,” Ibe added.
Responding, Agbaso, a businessman and financial analyst, said he had long concluded that his political journey was over and was content with his private business interests. He, however, revealed that a series of developments and what he described as divine intervention convinced him to reconsider.
“I was done with politics. I was finished with it,” Agbaso told the gathering. He expressed surprise at the large turnout and goodwill, saying the show of support nearly moved him to tears. He attributed his renewed interest to the power of the Holy Ghost and God’s mercy upon him and his family.
Also speaking, former Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, Chief Nnaemeka Maduawo, threw his weight behind Agbaso. He urged the people of the South-East to support credible and competent leaders who can deliver development, security and good governance.
Maduawo described Agbaso as a patriotic son of the soil whose international education and professional experience as a financial analyst equip him to transform Imo State in critical sectors such as infrastructure, healthcare, education and human capital development.
“That injustice of 2007 has to be corrected,” Maduawo insisted. “A mandate delayed is not a mandate denied.”
The stakeholders maintained that returning the governorship to Owerri Zone remains a matter of fairness and inclusive governance that would foster lasting peace and accelerated development in Imo State.
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