Ahead of the 2015 general elections, President General of Association of Imo State Indigenous Town Unions; Chief Emeka Diwe has called on members of the town unions in Imo state and beyond to vote who have the capacity to deliver democracy to the people.
Speaking in Aba, Abia state while inaugurating the newly elected members of the Owerri zone chapter of the Association of Indigenous Town Unions, Aba, Diwe advised the town unions members to check the background of each candidate before casting their votes for him, adding that it will not be in the interest of the people to elect such candidates who will later abandon the people to represent their family and friends.
“Preparation for the 2015 general elections has started. Be cautious about those who would come to you with money to make you vote for them. I urge you to check the background of such candidates because they may not mean well for the people. You must be careful so that you won’t make the mistake of electing candidates who will run to Abuja or Owerri when elected only to return when it is time for the next elections. Such person who abandons his people after being elected is not fit to be called a representative. So, we must work with people who are conscious of development because the cardinal objective of town unionism is grassroots development.
“So, we have a duty to enlighten our people to support people who are conscious of development. Town Unions are only for development. This is why we say; Town Union, Development to the Grassroots,” he said.
The multiple award winning President General whose alias ‘Gburugburu’ rent the air throughout his speech, refuted reports that town unions are political structures which are set up for the purposes of election.
“Town Union is political, but not partisan. Town union members can belong to any political party of their choice but we don’t support any political party. Town Union is the only identity of the Igbo man that has stood the test of time. I assure you that it is the most democratic structure found in Igbo land. Town Unions can guide members on political decisions, particularly the election of quality people in leadership positions in the society.”