By Charles Igbo
The All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA has recorded its first Presidential aspirant against 2023.
In a surprise move, a former Chief Judge of Anambra State, the Honourable Justice Professor Peter Umeadi, has picked up the both the Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms. He is likely to be the only Presidential aspirant in APGA, political analysts say.
Umeadi had in January 2022, visited the Party Headquarters and told the Leadership he would contest for the Presidential seat under APGA.
On Thursday, March 7, Umeadi, in a carnival-like manner, picked the forms to contest for the Presidential seat in 2023.
Many people have received Umeadi’s entry into the race with mixed feelings. Not a few people say he is playing to the gallery. Some others say he is a spoiler. While others say it is his right.
Those against his move insist he knows he is wasting time and money so, why aspire? They argue that APGA is a one-State party, which Presidential candidate is not likely to win even in Anambra State where he is from, and where APGA is in control.
They argue that the Party has no national speead, and that any vote cast for him would be a complete waste. So, why contest?, they ask
They argue that he would have backed any serious Igbo son-contestant on the ticket of a serious National Party – PDP or APC.
The first time APGA fielded a Presidential candidate was when the late Dim Emeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu contested. He lost even in Anambra State.
Thereafter, APGA had no other candidate but usually backed the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, especially during the Governorship of Peter Obi.
In 2019, it half-heartedly fielded retired Major General John Gbor as its Presidential candidate, and Imo State born Chief Jerry Chukwueke, as his running mate. But on the day they were presented, not even then APGA Governor, Willie Obiano was present. The occasion was shunned by most members.
The candidate did not fly. And made no impact anywhere – not even in his native Benue State, or the APGA-controlled Anambra State, or Imo State where his Deputy hail from.
In 2023, Umeadi has surfaced. Not a few people think it will end like that of Gbor.
The retired Anambra Chief Judge is from Nri, Anambra State, and joined APGA in 2019.
