Politics
Anambra Ex-Chief Judge Emerges APGA’s Presidential Candidate
A former Chief Justice of Anambra State, Prof Peter Umeadi, on Wednesday emerged as the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the 2023 election.
Umeadi, who was unopposed, clinched APGA’s presidential ticket at the party’s convention held in Abuja and was attended by its leaders and members from the nation’s six geo-political zones.
The Tide source reports that the party delegates affirmed his candidacy by a voice vote.
APGA National Chairman, Dr Victor Oye, who expressed optimism that Umeadi would be sworn in as President in 2023, said that the party would also produce more than 30 senators.
Oye said that APGA would take Nigeria by storm, adding that Umeadi having served in the judiciary for 35 years was well equipped and was the candidate to beat in the presidential election.
“APGA is a realistic party; we do not build castles in the air. the emergence of Umeadi shows that APGA is united and would spring surprises by being elected president by Nigerians in 2023.
“We are here to do the needful. APGA does not believe in imposition, we gave everybody a level playing field to come and purchase the form.
“At the end of the whole process, our brother former Chief Judge of Anambra, a life changer, a man of irrepressible character, a man who has shown capacity in many ways intellectually and otherwise is today being presented to all of us for affirmation as our candidate,’’ he said.
Oye reiterated that there was no crisis in AGPA, pointing out that no faction existed because his leadership was the one INEC recognised.
In his acceptance speech, Umeadi said that he was stepping out with the triple banner of rule of law, separation of power and due process if elected.
He also promised to make Nigeria a great country which every Nigerian would be proud of.
“Our triple banner should form the structure for a new Nigeria which an APGA government at the centre under my watch would bring about.
“Uppermost in my mind is how to reconcile Nigerians across the length and breadth of our dear country.
“In a new political culture, I undertake to galvanise the old, young, rich, poor, literate or not, from different religious persuasions and from all six geopolitical zones, to deliver a new Nigeria where justice would reign for all citizens equally, irrespective of tribe or status.
“Our next task as a political party is to secure votes at the polls from the majority of Nigerians. We would work hard to secure as many legislative seats as possible across the country. Nigerians should respect the ballots, “he said.
Umeadi urged Nigerians to allow only valid votes to count and, in the most vocal manner possible, enforce the extant laws such that no person below the age of 18 years is allowed to vote.
He expressed worry that Nigerians were traumatised daily by wanton killings, displacements, and disorganisation of business and social life with attendant difficulty to sustain economic, commercial and domestic life.
According to him, Nigeria can not achieve economic, educational, scientific, sporting or food sufficiency breakthroughs when the citizens are hungry, insecure, and unstable.
Also in attendance were a former Minister of Information, Frank Nweke Jr, who emerged the APGA governorship candidate for Enugu State, and a former Senate Minority Leader, Enyinayya Abaribe, who recently defected from the PDP.
During a press conference held in Owerri, the coalition called the campaign a “dangerous and shameful display” designed to distract the public from the governor’s performance in office.
The CSOs directly linked the Greater Imo Initiative (GII) —the group that made the allegations on September 4, 2025—to Governor Uzodimma, describing the group as his “mouthpiece and attack dog.”
“Every word spoken against INEC was spoken on his behalf.
“By falsely alleging that Professor Yakubu has an alliance with Dr. Amadi to compromise the 2027 elections, Uzodimma has not only maligned a man of proven integrity but also assaulted the very foundation of our democracy”, said Dr Agbo Frederick, speaking for the coalition.
The coalition described Professor Yakubu as a “beacon of electoral professionalism” and called the attempt to soil his reputation “defamatory and a national security risk.”
They also defended Dr. Amadi, a “respected development scholar,” stating that the governor’s accusations were “laughable, desperate, and dangerous.”
The CSOs see the motive behind the campaign as an attempt to “silence the dissent, intimidate the opposition, and divert attention from the governor’s abysmal record in office.”
The coalition issued four key demands to Governor Uzodimma: An immediate retraction of the false and defamatory allegations against Professor Mahmood Yakubu and Dr. Chima Amadi.
- A public apology to both men within seven days, to be published in at least three national newspapers and broadcast on major television networks.
- An end to diversionary tactics and proxy propaganda.
- A renewed focus on governance, including addressing insecurity, unemployment, and poverty in Imo State.
The CSOs warned that failure to comply would force them to “review our position with a view to seeking legal redress from Governor Uzodimma for defamation, false accusation, and reckless endangerment of lives.”
“Governor Uzodimma must be reminded that he did not find himself in the seat of power to chase shadows.
“We call on all Nigerians to reject Uzodimma’s diversionary antics as they are nothing short of desperate plots by a government terrified of accountability”, the statement concluded.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC expressed concern that preventing the senator from resuming her legislative duties violates democratic principles and disenfranchises her constituents.
“The suspension, having been imposed by the Senate and not a court of law, has lapsed. Any further attempt to prevent her from resuming is therefore both illegal and morally indefensible,” Mallam Abdullahi said.
The party noted that denying Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan access to the chamber silences the voice of the people who elected her, adding that the withdrawal of her salary, aides, and office access during the suspension amounted to excessive punishment.
The ADC also criticised the Clerk of the National Assembly for declining to process her resumption on grounds that the matter was before the courts, arguing that the Clerk’s role was administrative, not judicial.
“Administrative caution must not translate into complicity. When the administrative machinery becomes hostage to political interests, the institution itself is diminished,” the party stated.
Highlighting that Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan is one of only four women in the 109-member Senate, the ADC warned that the handling of the case sends a discouraging signal about gender inclusion in Nigerian politics.
“Any action that resembles gender intimidation of the few women in the Senate would only discourage women’s participation. Nigeria cannot claim to be a democracy while excluding half of its population from key decision-making spaces,” Mallam Abdullahi added.
The ADC insisted that Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan be allowed to resume her seat immediately, stressing that the matter was about more than one individual.
“What is at stake here is not just one Senate seat, but the integrity of our democracy itself,” the party said.