By Chijindu Emeruwa, Abia.

The Association of South East Past Presidents-General (ASEPP), has reaffirmed its endorsement and unflinching support to former Chief Judge of Anambra State, Professor Peter Umeadi, as the presidential candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA)for the upcoming general election in Nigeria in 2023.

This is even as the southeast body appreciated the national chairman and members of the APGA for nominating Umeadi as the party’s standard bearer for the 2023 main elections, positing that the emergence of Umeadi confirmed and vindicated its earlier stand and support for the latter’s presidential bid as evidenced in extensive Correspondence to relevant political stakeholders at local, state and national levels, including the national assembly, and solicited support for Professor Umeadi extensive credential and records of achievement at personal and professional levels.

The South East Past Presidents-General made their feelings known during their enlarged meeting held in Enugu at the weekend.

It was contained in a communique jointly signed by the ASEPP National President Mazi Omife I. Omife, the Secretary General, Barrister Charles Nnorm and Publicity Secretary, Dr Okey Nwamba, forwarded to our correspondent on Tuesday.

The group hinged its support to Umeadi’s presidential based on the justifiable turn of the igbos to produce President Muhammadu Buhari’s successor in 2023in compliance with the principle of justice and equity, which was supported by eminent non-igbos from other tribes and nationalities in the country.

The Past Presidents-General further maintained that Professor Umeadi’s declaration of interest to run for the seat of Nigeria President came as a encouragement to the association hence their early endorsement to the latter’s declaration, appealing to serving Presidents-General in all igbo communities, as their predecessors, to join its members to give support to the APGA presidential candidate, as their, cannot mislead them.

According to the ASEPP, “the association is very delighted that Professor Peter Umeadi s contesting under the platform of the igbo party(APGA), and also noted that igbos have traditionally supported igbo-based parties through the days of NCNC and NPP to today’s APGA.

The Igbo umbrella body called on ndigbo to ensure the survival of igbo political identity which was bequeathed by Zik and Ojukwu by giving full support to Prof Umeadi.

The Association also enjoined every eligible igbo man, woman and youth to ensure that they get their Permanent Voters Cards (PVC), which according to them, remained the only weapon to express support for the APGA presidential flag-bearer.

Our reporter gathered that the Association has membership strength of 4,200 past Presidents-General across all the communities in the southeast, and vested with enormous grassroots influence and goodwill in all the communities to support the candidacy of the Presidential Candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, Professor Peter Umeadi.