By Chijindu Emeruwa.
An Igbo umbrella body, Association of South East Past President-Generals, (ASEPP), has reaffirmed its endorsement of presidential candidancy of Professor Peter Umeadi under the platform of the All Progressive Grand Alliance ahead of the forthcoming 2023 general election in Nigeria.
This is even as the southeast group hinged its latest resolution based on Professor Umeadi’s dignified and non-controversial mode of political consultations across the country, and as well as, his wide outreach and broad-based acceptability in most parts of the country across tribal and religious divides.
The Association, in a statement by its National President, Mazi Omife I. Omife, issued to newsmen on Monday, also hinged their support based on Umeadi’s affiliation with the only Igbo-based party in the current political set-up which will promote Igbo political identity in Nigerian political landscape.
“In the course of deliberations, the Association unanimously adopted a motion jointly sponsored by 26 members from Ebonyi, Anambra, and Enugu states. A motion for ASEPP to give their support to the APGA presidential candidate, Professors Peter Umeadi, “the Igbo group added.
The association also resolved to support other candidates from other political parties in the southeast states for other elective posts other than presidency, based on individual merit.
The past president-generals further mandated its members from respective states to monitor and identify candidates with requisite credentials of personal integrity and antecedents service to society to give their support.
On myriads of challenges bedeviling the country, the ASEPP, grieved on the worsening security problems in Igbo land and frowned in strong term, the incessant rate of nefarious attacks by unknown gunmen in Igbo land, and kidnapping for ransom by suspected fulani youths in most states of the southeast geopolitical zone.
The Igbo ethnic nationality body, further called on igbo governors to convene an Igbo security summit as a matter of urgency to brainstorm on how to defend igbo land against the rampaging criminals.
The call by Association of South East Past President-General was coming on the heels of the recent killing of of youths in southeast of the igbo extraction.
Recall that the ugly incident happened when the victims were going back to their community in Otulu in Oru East LGA of Imo state.
In another development, the Association of South East Past President-Generals (ASEPP), has suspended two of its members over alleged gross misconduct.
This was disclosed in a terse statement made available to newsmen on Monday.
According to the socio-cultural umbrella, “Association suspended two of her members from Ebonyi and Imo states for “anti-union activities and referred their case to the association’s disciplinary committee for further action”.
