Presidential candidate of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the last general election, Prof. Peter Umeadi, SAN, has promised to recontest for presidency of Nigeria if given another opportunity.
Umeadi, former Chief Judge of Anambra State disclosed this during the 2024 General Assembly of Association of Past Presidents General of Anambra State, APASS, who conferred on him the “Best politician of the year.” award.
Prof. Umeadi was conferred with the award alongside the Senator representing Anambra South Senatorial Zone, Senator Victor Umeh, Commissioner of Police Anambra State, Adeyemi Adeoye, Chairman Oilserv Group, Sir Dr Emeka Okwuosa, an engineer. Vice President Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Damian Okeke Ogene, and few others.
According to Prof. Umeadi, Igbo are entitled to due recompense in a country they contributed immensely to build and I promise to continue to do more to achieve Igbo inclusion in Nigeria.
Expressing satisfaction with the award, he said that the Association of South East Past Presidents General, comprising of past Presidents General in more than 2000 communities in the five South East States of Nigeria formerly endorsed him to run for President of Nigeria in 2023 on 15 January 2021at his residence at Agukwu Nri, Anambra State.
“On 18 May 2021 the same body made a public presentation of the same endorsement of my humble self as preferred Igbo presidential candidate for the election of 2023 at Enugu Recreation Club, Enugu State.
“The same body accompanied me to Abuja in 2022 to obtain the Declaration of Intention Forms, from the National Headquarters of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, to contest the primaries.
“On 1st June 2022, I was returned as the presidential candidate of APGA to contest the presidential election on 25th February 2023. On 25th February 2023, I voted for my self to be the president of Nigeria at my polling booth in Ward 1 Eke Market Nri, Anambra State.
“On this auspicious day Association of Past Presidents General of Anambra State, APASS, after conducting their review of the presidential election of 25th February 2023, have conferred on me the award of the Best Politician of the Year, this is special and remarkable in all humility. I thank APASS for the honour done to me . I promise to continue to do more to achieve Igbo inclusion in Nigeria. The Igbo are entitled to due recompense in a country which they contributed immensely to build.
On 14th October, 2022, Correspondents Chapel, NUJ Enugu State Council, honoured the former Chief Judge if Anambra State with the outstanding award as ‘Pillar of Justice’ during their Chapel’s Press Week at Enugu. The journalists decision for the award was arrived at after a thorough assessment of Prof. Umeadi’s activities during and after his years of service as High Court Judge and as Chief Judge of Anambra Satae.
Presenting the award to him the Enugu NUJ said, “The decision for this award was arrived at after a thorough assessment of your activities during and after your years of service as a High Court Judge and as Chief Judge of Anambra State. As journalists practicing within Enugu State and South East geopolitical zone, we are also glad to note that even several years after leaving office as chief Judge, you have continued to push for justice for your people, particularly Ndigbo. This we think, is what is driving you to become the president of our country.
“It is in recognition of this that this Chapel deem it necessary to recognize and appreciate your good works with the award to encourage you to do more.”
However, at the Judiciary, Prof. Umeadi was a member of the National Judicial Council, NJC, and the Board of Governors of the National Judicial Institute, NJI, and he used the position to end incessant strike in the stste Judiciary, Ashe personally worked with the then Commissioner of Police at that time to oversee lasting peace full border demarcation with the Nigerian Police premises near the present Court if Appeal and National Industrial Court Awka.
Many people also benefited from employment Prof. Umeadi gave in the Judiciary through the Judicial Service Commission of which he was the Chairman for eight years, which benefited every town in Anambra State and beyond.
He arguably bequeathed the most scientific and functional High Court Rules which was the first to provide for an interface with Alternative Dispute Resolution, ARD in the same document thereby elucidating the concept of Pre-trial Conference PTC, putting same in its proper place and for the first time in Nigeria appointing DCRs of Evolution to conduct pre-trial conference and handle non-contentious interlocutory applications which paved the way that only matters ripe for hearing go before the Hon. Judges thereby enhancing speedy decision of cases, just as he increased Judicial Divisions from seven to ten.
Prof. Umeadi has not been found wanting in the road map for integration of Igbo people into mainstream Nigeria which is being revisited. In espousing social progress he has always pointed to the chasm between the leadership and the led in Igbo land.
He has made it categorically clear that upper most in his mind in running for president have been how to reconcile with ourselves across the length and breath of our dear country Nigeria, adding that, “If I get another chance I would do the same thing over again.”
On his on part, Engr. Dr. Emeka Okwuosa, who was represented by Sir Oselloka Offoh, was conferred with community service award for giving back to the community in special ways through his Foundation, the Sir Emeka Okwuosa Foundation SEOF.
APASS pointed out that his Foundation’s Community empowerment programs as well as regular provision of reliefs to every household in Oraifite have placed Oraifite first among equals.
APASS noted that SEOF has launched Oraifite to new levels in Secondary Education, making the Dame Irene Okwuosa Memorial Convent DIOMeCO center for academic excellence and the pride of the people of Nnewi Diocese and Anambra state.
Sir Okwuosa has equally given backing by providing super structures at the Oraifite Boys Secondary School, justbas he has provided Nigeria’s medical tourism which is today receiving a big boost with the inauguration of a multimillion Dollar world class Cardio-Thoracic Facility, at the Dame Irene Okwuosa Memorial Hospital DIOMH in Oraifite.
APASS noted that total of 69 Open Heart Surgeries have been successfully carried out at DIOMH in partnership with the VOOM Foundation USA.
The National President of APPS, Mazi Omife. I, Omife, earlier in his welcome address noted that APPS is not a political association, but works and cooperates with successive government and the incumbent in the state for development.
“APASS serves as a pedestal to accommodate ex PGs who delivered their services to the various communities in Anambra state, including giving advice, guidance and holding discussions for the progress and growth of humanity.
“Other aims/objectives of the association include, forum to provide support to members, create room for mutual cooperation with members and people in the community.”
