By Izunna Okafor, Awka
Contrary to speculations making rounds on social media, the Anambra State Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Hon. Tonycollins Nwabunwanne, has clarified that Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo did not sack the immediate-past National President of the Anambra State Association of Town Union (ASATU), Barr. Titus Akpudo.
The clarification comes on the heels of media reports alleging that Governor Soludo had forcefully removed Barr. Akpudo from office and renamed ASATU to Anambra State Town Union Council (ASTUC) during an ASATU event held on Saturday, March 29, at the Governor’s Lodge in Amawbia. The reports also claimed that the renaming was done out of anger, supposedly to sever any association with the purportedly ousted leadership.
However, setting the record straight in an exclusive interview with this reporter, Izunna Okafor, Commissioner Nwabunwanne described the reports as baseless, misleading, a complete misrepresentation of the facts, and the handiwork of mischief makers bent on causing confusion and spreading unfounded rumors. He noted that Governor Soludo neither sacked Akpudo nor forcefully changed the name of the group.
According to him, the Governor only acted in line with the constitutional realities following the expiration of Akpudo’s tenure as the National President of ASATU in December and the postponement of election of new leadership, eventually slated for the last Saturday
“Noboby sacked Akpudo. His tenure expired. They were supposed to conduct the election since December. You know, they postponed it and said that the election would be conducted this last Saturday,” the Commissioner explained.
The Commissioner, however, explained that the election could not take place that day as planned, due to some internal issues and wrangling within the association, hence, necessitating an interim leadership arrangement to avoid leaving the position vacant.
In his words, “Rather than allowing a leadership vacuum, Governor Soludo appointed Chief Vincent Dike, the President-General of Orifite Community in Ekwusigo Local Government Area, to act in the capacity of National President pending the completion of the constitution amendment after which the proposed election would now hold. So, nobody sacked Akpudo, as alleged.”
Commissioner Nwabunwanne also debunked the claim that the renaming of ASATU to ASTUC was an act of anger or a punitive decision by the Governor. He explained that the change was part of a broader reformation agenda aimed at realigning the association with its original purpose of community governance, rather than allowing it to remain a platform with conflicting interests or being run as an associations that may be driven by personal interests.
The new name, Anambra State Town Union Council (ASTUC), according to the Commissioner, reflects a council that solely consists of active community leaders rather than retired or former PGs. He added that this structure, modeled after the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council, ensures that the leadership reflects the current reality of town union governance in the state.
Nwabunwanne noted that the old ASATU structure allowed past PGs and other non-PG members to continue wielding influence and holding positions in the union, leading to internal wrangling and deviation from the association’s mission. He added that the restructuring and remodelling of the union and the constitutional amendment would also help to eliminate controversies, conflicts of interest, and power struggles within the union.
“That’s what we want to do. Just like we have the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council. It’s community governance, not people by association that have different interests; but people that have the interest of the community at heart, that can bring meaningful development. So, we want to go back to the core vision of community governance,” he clarified.
Speaking further, he explained that
Hon. Nwabunwanne also revealed that the decision to amend the ASATU constitution was unanimously agreed upon by the stakeholders, who also saw the need to reposition the union for better efficiency. He noted that part of the proposed amendment would include revising the tenure of officers and restructuring the meeting schedules at state, zonal, and local government levels.
“Some of them argued that while the constitution initially provided for a three-year renewable tenure, it was recently amended to be a four-year single tenure, which Akpudo just served out his own tenure in December. However, some members have expressed divergent views regarding the tenure duration and other aspects of the constitution. That is why they have resolved to review the entire structure and make necessary adjustments,” he stated.
While calling on the members to remain loyal and supportive to the new leadership, he further dispelled the speculation that the Dike-headed leadership was appointed in substantive capacity. He also urged the public to disregard misleading reports, while also calling on the media to always verify facts before publishing.
“The new leadership is there in acting capacity now, because it’s by appointment, and not as substantive leadership as is being speculated in the media reports by the same people who alleged that Governor Soludo sacked Akpudo and appointed Dike as the substantive National President,” he stated.
Commissioner Nwabunwanne also revealed that the appointment of the new leadership follows the rotational formula among the three senatorial districts of the state.
“It’s also important to mention that the union’s leadership is usually zoned and rotates among the three senatorial districts in the state. Previously, it was someone from Anambra North; and recently it was Akpudo from Eziowelle in Anambra Central Senatorial District (whose tenure has now expired); and now, the newly appointed person is from Oraifite in Ekwusigo, Anambra South Senatorial District. And after Anambra South, the power will return to the North, and it continues in that pattern,” he explained, assuring that once the constitution amendment is completed, elections would be conducted to usher in a new substantive leadership.
Hon. Nwabunwanne also took the opportunity to commend Barr. Akpudo for his selfless service and dedication to the union during his tenure, expressing gratitude to the outgoing executive for their efforts in community development and governance. He also expressed optimism that the restructured ASTUC would better serve the interests of Anambra communities.
“I thank him very much. The governor also commended him and his team during the event that day at the Governor’s Lodge. He lauded them for their exceptional leadership and achievements throughout their tenure,” he said, adding that the Anambra PGs also unanimously endorsed the Governor for a second term during the event.
Commissioner Nwabunwanne further urged members and stakeholders to focus on the collective goal of community development, reassuring that the government remains committed to fostering harmony and progress among town unions across the state.
Reports also have it that earlier speaking at the event, Governor Soludo criticized the registration of town unions with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), arguing that this commercialized the unions rather than preserving their original purpose of fostering peace and development in their respective communities.
“The idea of registering town unions with CAC is totally wrong. As President Generals, you were elected by the people to serve within a constitutionally stipulated tenure —just as I was elected as governor. You cannot convert town unions into business enterprises or corporate bodies.
“I am also aware that some President Generals whose tenures have expired are still part of ASATU, which is wrong. Once your tenure ends, you can no longer be a member of the state body, as membership is strictly for serving President Generals,” the Governor was quoted as saying.
