2027: Association of Igbo Town Unions vow to support only candidates with good plans for South East

From Okey Sampson, Umuahia

The Association of Igbo Town Unions (ASITU) has vowed to support only candidates who have good plans and the political will to implement workable solutions for the challenges confronting the people of the South East in next year’s general election.

National President of ASITU, Chief Emeka Diwe, who made the vow in a statement in Aba, said that the Igbo are faced with what he described as too ‘many hindrances’ in business, politics, and acceptability in Nigeria, adding that the Igbo people lack the ‘conducive environment’ to thrive in the country.

Chief Diwe noted that the Igbo are highly marginalised and are yet to be fully integrated into the scheme of things in Nigeria, despite their contributions in the country.

He explained that ASITU will only vote for candidates who will develop Igbo land through addressing the marginalisation of the Igbo, rejuvenating the Igbo economy, as well as ensuring full integration of the Igbo people into the scheme of things in Nigeria.

“As a frontline grassroots group with over eight 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.

The association 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.

“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 marginalisation 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, Nnamdi Kalu, to his ethnicity and urged the Federal Government to ensure his release as it did to Sunday Igboho, who is advocating 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.

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, marginalisation of the Igbo in Nigeria, the ‘Onye aghala nwanne ya philosophy’ and the ‘Aku Ruo Ulo Investment initiative.

Diwe described the Aku Ruo Ulo (bring your wealth home) investment initiative as a call for Igbo investors, captains of industries, and other Igbo businessmen to repatriate part of the investments to Igbo land.