By PAMELA EBOH AWKA

Former Chief Judge of Anambra State, Prof Peter Umeadi, has urged pan-Igbo organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, to support his presidential ambition for the actualisation of Igbo presidency project.

Umeadi, who is contesting under the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), made the appeal on Tuesday while addressing the Executive Committee of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Anambra State Chapter, and Chairmen of APGA in the 21 local government areas in the state, in Awka, the state capital.

He described himself as the best candidate to win the 2023 presidential election for the party, saying that he has the initiative and capacity to reposition Nigeria in four years if elected

Umeadi said: “I’m here to inform you as critical stakeholders and solicit your support as I aspire to become the next president of Nigeria.

“I am qualified to participate at the APGA Presidential Primaries slated for June 1. I have been screened and cleared by the party to run for the office of the President

“It is not possible for us to achieve, economic, educational, scientific, sporting or sufficiency breakthrough when we are hungry, insecure, and unstable.

“Nigerians are traumatized on daily basis from wanton killings. We know that insecurity among other fall out have driven our people away from the farms creating artificial scarcity of food and earning power

“Therefore, Nigeria requires change which only good leadership could provide. We need to change the way we think so we could change the way we do things. If I get the ticket of APGA, then we stand a good chance to win the presidential election in 2023.

“If I win the presidential election, I pledge to administer Nigeria with firmness and fairness, and reposition our country to the path of progress, harmony and prosperity all.”

The former Chief Judge enjoined Ohanaeze Ndigbo to engage in vigorous voter education to ensure that all eligible voters of 18 years and above register to vote and obtain their permanent voters cards (PVCs).

He added: “We should canvas and sustain free and fair elections. Let only valid votes count. Validity of votes permeates capacity to vote down to announcement of correct results.

He expressed hope that Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide will remember that it has a duty to engage in vigorous voter education to encourage citizens to get their PVCs and actually vote on election days.

In his speech, the Vice President of Ohaneze Chief Damian Okeke-Ogene, Ndigbo, urged every Nigerian to key into the Igbo Presidency project, saying that time has come for the country to produce its next president from the Southeast.

He said: “Let us mobilise ourselves as Igbo across the country, ensure we get our PVCs and vote on election day. We are popular by our votes.”

In his remarks, Obi Chukwuemekalum Udodeme, President Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Anambra, said it was the turn of the Southeast to produce the next president of Nigeria.

“We are happy that you recognised our role in this Igbo Presidency project. You are very qualified to contest and become the next president and we pray that God grants you victory,” he added.