Elections: APGA urges media to provide equal coverage for all candidates

… Promises to eliminate suspicion, unite ethnic groups

 The Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Prof. Peter Umeadi, has called on the media to provide equal opportunities for all candidates ahead of the 2023 general elections.

Umeadi, in a statement, made the call shortly after receiving award of International Ambassador of African Culture at the 10th edition of the Nollywood New Yam Festival in Abuja.

He also called on the media to use its platforms to effect positive change in the nation’s political system.

He said that media was powerful enough to guide people on the right path and also help to produce credible leaders.

He expressed regret at a situation where some media professionals were biased in their presentations during town hall meetings and other political activities.

” Denial of equal airtime to all political parties by public media contravens Section 95 of the Electoral Act, 2022.

“It is the responsibility of the media to provide a level playing ground for all aspirants to make known their manifestoes at all political gatherings without regards to candidates or aspirant’s status or popularity.

“This will enable the electorate to be well informed on the intentions of the aspirants.”

Speaking on the Nollywood Award, Umeadi explained that he had been a lover of all efforts that would promote positive cultural values.

He said that from childhood, he had played positive roles in drama, civic and sporting activities while in school, after school and during his career in his services to the nation.

” While in school at CKC Onitsha in 1971, I played a major role in a popular drama, entitled, “Dinner for Promotion” written by James Ene Henshaw.

” These activities in various ways have tremendously helped in engaging the youth positively and contrbute in community development projects.”

The National Coordinator of the Nollywood Yam Festival programme, Mr Onwurah Agility, said the award of International Ambassador of African culture to the APGA Presidential aspirant, was in recognition of his contrbutions.

Agility said the contributions were in terms of youths employment, growth and development of the Nollywood industry and community development.

 Umeadi, says he will eliminate suspicion and unite all ethnic groups, if elected president in 2023.

Umeadi, while interacting with newsmen in Abuja said he would also ensure unity and rapid progress in the country.

He said that one of the major issues he would address if elected was to unite the nation, through a fair and transparent approach.

Umeadi said: “Once people notice that everyone is carried along and policies are transparent, indicating fairness, areas of rancour and frictions will be minimised thereby promoting unity and peace.

“Among other challenges of the nation, if the problem of unity is tackled, the challenges of insecurity, economy and ethnicity, just to mention but a few, will be controlled.”

Umeadi said suspicion by the various groups due to insincerity on the part of some leaders

was the major cause of disunity .

He reeled out of his achievements as the Chief Judge of Anambra state, adding that he was able to carry everyone along.

“The state judiciary, which was troubled with incessant strikes and other worries, emerged to be one of the best in the country within the years i served as the Chief Judge of the state.

“The skill which I used to achieve efficiency and Job satisfaction among the judicial workers that enhanced service delivery, would effectively be deployed in the running of the affairs of the nation for the wellbeing of all,” he said.  (NAN)