Deputy Governor of Imo State, Prince Eze Madumere, has made known his decision to contest the 2019 governorship election in the state.

He made the declaration on Sunday while hosting the Niger Delta Youths Forum, which paid him an unscheduled solidarity visit on Sunday.

Prince Madumere emphatically declared that there is no going back, which elicited a standing ovation and aluta gyration by the excited visitors.

Madumere got immediate endorsement as the Niger Delta Youths Forum led by Ichie Nwaopara Chukwuemeka vowed to back the Deputy Governor. The youth group, whose members are drawn from 11 wards of Oguta, insisted that Madumere is the most qualified to succeed Governor Rochas Okorocha, who has anointed his son-in-law, Chief Uche Nwosu, as his successor.

Ichie Nwaopara described Prince Madumere as a man of destiny whose love for peace and progress of the state and her people is unequalled. He added that the state needs an astute administrator, which he said, Prince Madumere represents by all standards going by his flourishing background and training.

Making case for Owerri zone and Prince Madumere, the youth leader insisted that going by the charter of equity in the state, it is the turn of Owerri zone to produce the next Governor of the state come 2019.

The spokesman of the youths affirmed their resolve to stand with Prince Madumere, stressing that he has proved competence, passion and the vision to take Imo to its desired position in the comity of states.

He described Prince Madumere as incorruptible, humane, accessible and loyal, attributes describing as rare virtues that could only be found in exceptional breed of leaders.

The colourful event was not without its side attraction of local gyration songs from the youths, which Prince Madumere proved his hidden gift of dance steps of royalty.

Responding, Prince Madumere commended them for their steadfastness, acknowledging that it was their second visit to his country home.

He urged them to ensure that they go out en masse for voters’ registration, which he noted is the only qualification to vote for candidates of their choice.