IMO NDC STAKEHOLDERS MEETING: Udenwa, Agbaso, Igwe, Obi, Onyeaguocha, Egwuagu, Others, Attends
E-ISSN: 2354-4481
By Rita Onuoha
Location: Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Imo State Chapter, on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, held a major stakeholders’ meeting and rally in Owerri, bringing together prominent leaders, candidates, party executives and supporters from across the 27 local government areas of the state.
The event, held at the Forte Event Centre along Port Harcourt Road, by Concorde Junction, was marked by renewed calls for party unity, discipline, reconciliation and collective commitment ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Among the prominent leaders who attended the gathering were former Governor of Imo State and leader of the NDC in the state, His Excellency, Chief Achike Udenwa; former Senator representing Owerri Zone and former 2007 governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Martin Agbaso, popularly known as Ochudo Owerri; Prof. Ukah-Igwe; Hon. Amanze Obi, PhD, former Commissioner for Information and Culture and Apex Leader of the NDC in the Ohaji-Egbema/Oguta/Oru-West Federal Constituency; and Hon. Uche Onyeaguocha, Esq., former Secretary to the Imo State Government.
Other party leaders, senatorial candidates, House of Representatives candidates, House of Assembly candidates, local government leaders and supporters were also present at the event.
The meeting came against the backdrop of efforts within the party to address disagreements arising from the primary and post-primary processes and to strengthen its structures ahead of the 2027 elections.
Peter Obi, the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 election, was formally adopted by the NDC in May 2026 after joining the party earlier that month.
Addressing the gathering, the Imo State Chairman of the NDC, Reginald Uwakwe Esq, thanked the party’s leadership, candidates and members for their commitment to sustaining the party and making it visible across the state.
He acknowledged that the party had experienced disagreements but said the stakeholders had resolved to put their differences aside and work together as one political family.
Uwakwe said the stakeholders’ meeting represented a significant step towards ending divisions within the party in Imo State.
“I am very glad that today’s meeting has come to a huge success. We have declared to ourselves that from today, there will be no more factional meetings of NDC. We have only one party and one goal.
“I want to sincerely appreciate all our leaders who made this possible, His Excellency, Chief Achike Udenwa, former Executive Governor of Imo State, Chief Martin Agbaso (Ochudo), Chief ThankGod Ezeani, and others,” he said.
He urged members to remain committed to the party and work collectively towards its objectives in the forthcoming elections.
Agbaso Calls for Unity, Party Discipline
Chief Martin Agbaso, in his remarks, made a strong appeal for unity, party discipline and commitment among members, particularly those who felt aggrieved by developments surrounding the party’s primary and post-primary processes.
Agbaso urged members who had been dissatisfied with events in the party to forgive past grievances and work together for the success of the NDC.
According to him, the NDC, as an opposition party, could not afford to create another opposition within its own ranks.
“I want to, on a sincere note, and my knees are on the ground, please, let us deepen the course of unity, party discipline and commitment in order to win the upcoming elections. NDC is an opposition party, and we can’t afford to create another opposition within,” Agbaso said.
He appealed to members who had been affected by the outcome of the primary and post-primary processes to put the interests of the party ahead of individual disagreements.
“The events of the primary and post-primaries may have deeply offended some persons, but in the interest of party unity and our common resolve to sack this present administration from national to state, let us work together.
“There is a lot to gain when we work together and win elections than to work against ourselves,” he said.
Agbaso also appealed to candidates who had instituted court cases arising from the party’s internal processes to consider withdrawing the cases in the interest of unity.
“NDC is going to win through Mr. Peter Obi, our son, and win in the state come 2027. Please, all the candidates who went to court, I beg you to withdraw the case. Let us work as one party,” he said.
His call for reconciliation echoed broader appeals previously made within the NDC for members to resolve internal disputes and concentrate on the party’s electoral programme.
Amanze Obi Urges Members to Respect Party Supremacy
Hon. Amanze Obi, PhD, also commended the stakeholders for coming together for peace and reconciliation.
Obi, a journalist and academic, said political disagreements and grievances were not unusual, but maintained that members must respect the leadership and structures of the party.
He described the gathering as an opportunity for members to reconcile their differences and strengthen the party ahead of the elections.
Obi said grievances were part of political activities, but stressed that party supremacy required members to submit to the decisions and leadership of the organisation.
“In politics, grievances are normal, but as party supremacy states, we must all come together, obey the leadership of the party and work for victory. It is only when we win that we can make any claims,” he said.
He called on party members and candidates across the state to work together and avoid actions that could undermine the party’s electoral preparations.
Ohaji-Egbema/Oguta/Oru-West Leaders Mobilise Supporters
The Apex Leader of the NDC in the Ohaji-Egbema/Oguta/Oru-West Federal Constituency also appreciated party members and supporters from the constituency for their large turnout at the rally.
He urged members of the constituency to align with the party’s candidates at the federal and state levels and work towards their electoral success.
The rally also witnessed the participation of supporters from the three local government areas that make up the federal constituency.
The gathering provided an opportunity for the various structures of the party to demonstrate their presence and reaffirm their commitment to the 2027 electoral process.
Soronnadi Addresses Logistics Concerns
The NDC Imo State Campaign Director-General, Chief Soronnadi Nnadi, also addressed an issue concerning campaign logistics and a statement widely attributed to Peter Obi that “Obi no dey give sheshi.”
Nnadi rejected the impression conveyed by the statement and said the NDC presidential candidate provides logistics for assignments entrusted to his campaign and political structures.
“Let me start by correcting the wrong impression that Mr. Peter Obi, our Presidential Candidate, doesn’t give money. It is wrong. Obi provides adequate logistics for the running of every assignment given.
“And for the running of this 2027 election, every logistics to the success and victory of the 2027 election, from the federal level to the polling units, shall be fully provided for,” he said.
His remarks were directed at reassuring party members and supporters regarding preparations for the forthcoming election.
Udenwa Calls for Peace and Unity
In his remarks, former Imo State Governor and NDC Imo State leader, Chief Achike Udenwa, appealed to members to embrace peace, unity and discipline within the party.
Udenwa said the party must work collectively to address the challenges confronting its internal structure and prepare adequately for the elections.
He also expressed the view that the party’s major challenge was internal unity rather than a lack of support from Nigerians and Imolites.
Udenwa said, according to his assessment of conversations with members of the public, many people expressed support for Peter Obi and the NDC.
“Nigeria and Imo State have suffered greatly. We want the suffering to stop in Nigeria now, stop in Imo State now, and we can only do this when we support the right candidates to occupy various positions in their constituencies,” Udenwa said.
He urged party members to remain united and avoid actions that could weaken the party’s structures.
The former governor further called on the various stakeholders to work together in the interest of the party and the electorate.
Ochudo Mandate Group Mobilises Across 27 LGAs
One of the major features of the gathering was the visible presence of the Ochudo Mandate Group, the political support structure associated with Chief Martin Agbaso.
The group mobilised members from across the 27 local government areas of Imo State for the stakeholders’ meeting and rally.
According to information presented at the event, the Ochudo Mandate Group mobilised across the 27 LGAs with a donation of one 18-seater bus per local government area.
The group’s presence formed part of the wider mobilisation effort ahead of the 2027 elections.
The women’s wing of the group was also visibly represented and led by Hon. (Mrs.) Florence Asonye, popularly known as the “Iron Lady.”
Rally Holds Through Owerri
Following the stakeholders’ meeting, supporters of the party and various candidates took part in a procession through major streets in Owerri.
The rally provided an opportunity for party supporters to publicly demonstrate their presence and commitment to the forthcoming elections.
Supporters of candidates carried party materials and participated in the procession as the event moved through parts of the Owerri metropolis.
The event attracted party leaders and candidates from different levels of the electoral contest, including senatorial candidates, House of Representatives candidates and House of Assembly candidates.
The presence of party members from the 27 local government areas also underscored the organisers’ emphasis on statewide mobilisation.
The 305 ward captains of the Ochudo Mandate Group were also reported to have been visibly present at the event.
The stakeholders’ meeting therefore ended with renewed calls for reconciliation among members, adherence to party leadership, discipline and coordinated mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The gathering also provided a platform for the party’s leadership and various support groups to demonstrate their organisational structures across Imo State.
For the NDC leadership in the state, the central message of the meeting was that members should put aside disagreements associated with the primary and post-primary processes, strengthen internal cohesion and focus on the party’s candidates and electoral programme.
The meeting and rally came as the NDC continues preparations for the 2027 general elections, with Peter Obi as its presidential candidate.
