“I am the candidate to beat in 2027 NINN House of Reps election.” Odoebube.

Chief Cosmas Nwabueze Maduba, popularly known as Odoebube Isu, has declared himself the candidate to beat in the 2027 election for the Nkwerre, Nwangele, Isu and Njaba Federal Constituency, popularly known as NINN. Maduba, who is contesting for the Federal House of Representatives seat on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), made the declaration during an interview with Umuaka Times last week at a private residence in Owerri.

The politician told Umuaka Times that he came to this conclusion considering his long involvement in Nigerian politics which had given him an advantage over the other aspirants and contestants in the NINN constituency. He said he had been involved in politics from the days of the military administration of General Ibrahim Babangida through the return to democratic rule and had closely studied the political terrain of Imo State, particularly the four local government areas that make up the federal constituency. According to him, his political experience, knowledge of the constituency and understanding of the challenges confronting its people put him in a strong position to seek the mandate of the electorate. Maduba also described himself as one of the most popular political figures in Imo State, saying that his political activities over the years had enabled him to understand the expectations of the people.

Recounting his political journey, Maduba disclosed that he first sought election to the House of Representatives in 1999 under the platform of the Alliance for Democracy (AD), but lost the election to the PDP when the PDP was the party to beat and prominent across Nigeria. He said the experience taught him important political lessons which, according to him, had strengthened his understanding of electoral politics.

“I have learnt my lessons from 1999. I can now move mountains,” he said, while stressing that he had remained politically active since then. Maduba further claimed that he had supported several politicians in their electoral campaigns and victories and described himself as one of the most experienced politicians among those seeking the NINN federal seat.

Maduba also spoke extensively about his experience in government, particularly his tenure as Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security in Imo State. Public records confirm that Maduba was appointed Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security in Imo State and he held the position for 5 years. The Imo State Ministry of Agriculture currently identifies him as its commissioner and lists farmer empowerment, agricultural inputs, agribusiness and rural development among the ministry’s priorities. He told Umuaka Times that he resigned from the commissioner position to pursue his political ambition.

Responding to what he described as public criticism that his tenure did not achieve much, he disagreed, saying that his administration made several interventions in the agricultural sector. Among the achievements he cited were the creation of a database of farmers in Imo State, distribution of fertilizers, pesticides and insecticides, provision of soft loans and implementation of what he called the “Incubator-Incubatee Program.”

He claimed that the state had 333,330 active farmers and that about 24,000 bags of fertilizer were distributed during one phase of his tenure, while another distribution in 2024 involved about 14,000 bags. He also pointed to other agricultural interventions and said his ministry worked towards providing farmers with inputs and financial support. The Imo State Ministry of Agriculture’s current official website similarly lists fertilizer, herbicide, insecticide and modern farming tools among initiatives associated with Maduba’s tenure, although the figures cited by Maduba in the interview would require independent verification.

Maduba also attributed several development interventions to his political activities and tenure in government. He disclosed that he attracted a federal government maternity project to the state and facilitated the construction of an 18-bedroom maternity facility in Isu Njaba. He also said he played a significant role in the award of the contract for the Nkwerre-Umuaka Road, while claiming responsibility for another road linking Uzo Afor to Eluama, Ekwe. The APC candidate said his experience in both government and business had exposed him to the economic challenges facing ordinary residents of NINN and he has the solution to solve the problems.

Before entering government, he said, he studied Botany at the University of Port Harcourt and subsequently went into business at Alaba International Market in Lagos. Looking ahead to the 2027 election, Maduba said his proposed representation would focus on job creation, business development and improving the economic conditions of residents of the constituency. He said he had studied the major challenges facing NINN, including poverty and unemployment, and promised to bring what he described as “good values” and “fantastic representation” to the constituency if elected.

“I have understudied the problems of NINN such as poverty, lack of job opportunities and many more,” he said, adding that his objective would be to “add more value to the system and the ecosystem of NINN.”

The Odoebube Isu said he was particularly interested in creating opportunities for young people and supporting businesses within the constituency. The APC candidate also expressed willingness to participate in a public debate with his opponents ahead of the 2027 election, emphasizing that he was prepared to defend his record, political experience and plans for NINN before the electorate and expressed interest in engaging other contestants in a direct discussion of the issues confronting the constituency.

The 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for January 16, 2027, according to the election timetable.  Maduba’s declaration adds another voice to what is expected to be a competitive contest for the NINN Federal Constituency seat, with the electorate ultimately set to determine who will represent Nkwerre, Nwangele, Isu and Njaba in the Green Chambers.