The Association of South East Past Presidents-General (ASEPP)has paid glowing tribute to Professor Peter Umeadi for being the first Igbo man to declare his 2023 presidential ambition as well as for his consistency and focus in his campaign.
The Association also commended Professor Umeadi for his decision to pursue his presidential ambition on the platform of Igbo based party, APGA and for carrying the banner of APGA to all parts of the country through his campaign train which the Association said won him the endorsement of the Association of South East Past Presidents-General(ASEPP)in recognition of his courage and spirit of Igbo patriotism.
This was contained in a communiqué at the end of the Association’s National Executive Committee meeting to review the activities of Igbo presidential aspirants, which was held at the Enugu Press Center yesterday.
According to the communiqué, which was signed by the National President of the Association, Mazi Omife I. Omife and the National Secretary, Barr. Charles Nnorom, the Association also commended all the other Igbo Presidential aspirants for showing seriousness and commitment to the advancement of Igbo interest in the Nigerian political affairs and praised the courage and spirit of patriotism so far demonstrated by them in pursuit of 2023 Igbo presidential project.
The Association exhorted the Igbo presidential aspirants to remain steadfast and focused and fight to the end, win or lose. By doing so, they will be sending a clear message to Nigerians about the readiness and seriousness of Igbos to produce the president of Nigeria in 2023 after so many years of marginalization.
The Association urged Igbo Presidential aspirants to take a cue from Professor Umeadi by boldly taking the message of Igbo presidency to every part of the country without fear.
The Association noted with deep regret the turncoat actions of some Igbo presidential aspirants who stepped down for aspirants from other tribes, as well as serving and former Igbo governors who have chosen to support presidential aspirants from other geo-political zones.
“We know these Igbos. We are watching them and Igbos are watching them, waiting for pay back day which they will not escape”.
The Association disclosed its invitation to a world conference of Igbo communities taking place in the United States in October this year to further brainstorm on the issue of Igbo presidency and revealed the Association’s plan to present a book at the conference titled “Heroes and Traitors of Igbo Presidential Project”, which is intended to pay tribute to the resilience of present crop of Igbo presidential aspirants and to expose the hidden activities of Igbo enemies within.
Finally, the Association advised the Igbo presidential aspirants to do all in their power to adopt a consensus candidate after the primaries of their respective parties assuring that any one of them who emerges as Igbo consensus presidential candidate will receive maximum support of the Association in his campaign by mobilizing its members in all the communities in the South East and other Igbo speaking States.