Agbaso Gains Crucial South-East Support for Imo Governorship Bid

Leaders and stakeholders from the South-East region residing in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have formally endorsed Chief Martin Agbaso as their preferred candidate for the 2027 Imo State governorship election. This significant move, announced at the South-East Leaders and Stakeholders’ Forum in Abuja, is driven by a collective desire to ensure equity, foster inclusive governance, and accelerate development within Imo State. A central theme of the endorsement is the call for the governorship seat to return to the Owerri Zone, a region that has, according to stakeholders, not had a sustained opportunity to produce the state governor since the inception of the Fourth Republic, save for the truncated tenure of former Governor Emeka Ihedioha.

Nze Emmanuel Ibe, the forum's chairman and a retired director of the Police Service Commission, underscored the deliberate and intentional nature of the gathering. He stated that the event's primary objective was to formally endorse Agbaso and mobilize robust support for his candidacy. Ibe described Agbaso as the rightful beneficiary of a mandate allegedly denied to him in the 2007 election. He recounted that the people of Imo State had voted for Agbaso in 2007, but the election results were controversially cancelled due to allegations of violence in certain areas. Ibe highlighted a perceived injustice by questioning why the governorship election was invalidated while the House of Assembly election, conducted on the same day and by the same electorate, was upheld. This anomaly, he argued, constitutes a significant and unresolved issue for stakeholders, particularly those from the Owerri Zone.

Responding to the overwhelming endorsement, Chief Martin Agbaso, a renowned businessman and financial analyst, revealed his initial inclination to withdraw from politics. He admitted that he had previously considered his political journey concluded. However, a series of compelling developments, coupled with the profound goodwill expressed by those present at the forum, persuaded him to reconsider. Agbaso confessed that he had not anticipated the magnitude of attention the event would garner, acknowledging that the display of support nearly moved him to tears. He attributed his unexpected return to the political arena to divine intervention, stating that God had been “merciful” and “extremely generous” to him and his family. Despite his comfort with his established business interests and lack of immediate desire for political office, Agbaso firmly believes his renewed engagement is not merely a personal decision but part of a larger, divinely ordained purpose, describing it as “the hand of God” and “the power of the Holy Ghost.”

Agbaso also reflected on his early political career, recalling his first senatorial bid at the age of 32. At the time, his youth was widely considered a disadvantage, with many advising him to pursue lesser political offices like councillorship or a seat in the State House of Assembly. While initially frustrated by this perception, he has since gained a deeper understanding of the concerns associated with his age at that period. He emphasized that his extensive academic background and professional achievements, including international training and his standing as a financial analyst, have significantly strengthened his experience and capacity for leadership.

Further reinforcing the call for Agbaso’s leadership, Chief Nnaemeka Maduawo, a former Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, vehemently backed Agbaso's aspiration. Maduawo urged the people of the South-East to actively support credible leaders capable of delivering essential development, robust security, and effective good governance. He stressed the importance of Igbo elders and leaders in the FCT engaging with the political affairs of their states of origin to reposition the entire South-East region. According to Maduawo, it is imperative for the South-East to “get it right” by identifying and empowering competent individuals. He lauded Agbaso as a patriotic and experienced individual whose international education and professional insights could be instrumental in addressing Imo State's challenges, particularly in areas like infrastructure, healthcare, education, and human capital development.

Maduawo reiterated the need to rectify the lingering injustice of the 2007 governorship election. He asserted that Agbaso's continued availability and enriched experience since the disputed election make his return to the political arena even more critical. He passionately concluded with the adage, “A mandate delayed is not a mandate denied,” urging all Imo people to rally behind Agbaso's aspiration and help him fulfill what many believe is his long-overdue mandate.