The Association of Igbo Town Unions, (ASITU),has said it will only support candidates who possess the capacity to implement workable solutions for the challenges confronting the Igbo people during the 2027 general elections.
ASITU urged INEC to conduct free ,fair and credible polls in 2027, and let a true winner emerge because of his popularity and what he can do for Nigeria and Nigerians.
The group also noted that the Igbo are highly marginalized in country and are yet to be fully integrated into the scheme of things in Nigeria, despite her contributions to the Nigerian nation.
National President of ASITU, Chief Emeka Diwe, who stated this in Aba, alleged that the Igbo are faced with too ‘many hindrances’ in business ,politics and acceptability in Nigeria, stressing that the Igbo people lack the ‘conducive environment’ to thrive in Nigeria.
He explained that ASITU will only vote for candidates who has the capacity to develop Igbo land through addressing the marginalization of the Igbo, rejuvenating the Igbo economy as well as ensuring full integration of the Igbo people into the scheme of things in Nigeria.
He said”As a frontline grassroots group with over 8 million members at home and in diaspora,ASITU is taking the 2027 polls seriously. We are tired of promises and approaching the elections the same way ,every four years.
“For 2027, we are taking a new approach. ASITU has resolved to support only candidates with workable solutions for the challenges confronting the Igbo in Nigeria. ASITU wants candidates who will address the marginalization of the Igbo people in Nigeria, rejuvenate and open up Igbo land for more development and encourage our ‘Aku Ruo Ulo’ investment initiative through friendly government policies.This is why we have asked INEC to show more transparency to ensure that candidates win because of their popularity and what they can do for Nigeria and Nigerians.”
The group attributed the continued detention of the IPOB leader,Mazi Nnamdi Kalu to his ethnicity and urged the federal government to ensure his release as it did to Sunday Igboho who is advocating for an independent Yoruba nation.
It further enjoined the Igbo to remain focused and undaunted, assuring that ASITU will continue to fight for the interest of the Igbo.
ASITU also noted that the last three years has been riddled with harsh and unbearable economic situations, especially the removal of subsidy with astronomical effects on the cost of goods and services against the Igbo and Nigerians.
Commending the town union leaders at home and in diaspora,for upholding the ‘onye aghala nwanneya philosophy’,Diwe assured that ASITU has continued to take the lead against the challenges confronting the Igbo in Nigeria.
He noted that the resilience, ingenuity,strong determination and the die-hard nature of the Igbo have kept the people going in what he described as ‘difficult situations in the country.’
The National President further tasked the Igbo to use the opportunity of the forthcoming Christmas and new year holidays to convene town hall meetings to brainstorm on the burning issues affecting the Igbo such as insecurity, community development, marginalization of the Igbo in Nigeria ,the ‘onye aghala nwanneya philosophy’ and the ‘Aku Ruo Ulo Investment initiative.
Diwe described the Aku Ruo Ulo( bring your wealth home) investment initiate,as a call for Igbo investors ,captains of industries and other Igbo businessmen to repatriate part of the investments to Igbo land.
He disclosed that he has authored a book on the ‘Aku Ruo Ulo’ Investment initiative which will soon be published.
He said:; As you know, the last one year has been riddled with harsh and unbearable economic situations for the Igbo people and Nigerians. The removal of fuel subsidy which has brought untold hardship and economic meltdown with spiral effects and astronomical rise in the cost of goods and services.
“As we are set to arrive home for another Christmas and new year holidays,I appeal to the leadership of the town unions at all levels to harness the opportunity of the period to hold town hall meetings to discuss the burning issues affecting communities in Igbo land. The burning issues of insecurity, community development and the Aku Ruo Ulo Investment initiative of ASITU should dominate the deliberations.
