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From Stanley Uzoaru, Owerri
The Renewed Hope for Greater Nigeria (RHGN) has intensified grassroots mobilisation in the Southeast ahead of the 2027 general election, with a direct engagement of the Association of Igbo Town Unions (ASITU).
The Deputy National Leader (Southeast) of RHGN, Mazi Franklin Ngoforo, paid a visit to the National President of ASITU, Chief Emeka Diwe Ngoforo, saying the meeting was part of efforts to rally community structures behind President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Speaking during the visit, Ngoforo described Chief Diwe as a leader of over 6,000 town unions across Igboland and the diaspora, whose commitment to the welfare of Ndigbo has earned him wide respect.
He said President Tinubu’s policies align with the interests of the poor and vulnerable, citing three key interventions: the Supreme Court judgment granting financial autonomy to local governments, the NELFUND student loan scheme, and the establishment of the South East Development Commission (SEDC).
Ngoforo said LG autonomy is one of the administration’s most consequential reforms because it ensures resources meant for communities are released directly to local governments instead of being withheld at the state level.
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“For decades, funds meant for grassroots development were diverted. Now, town unions and community structures can hold LG chairmen accountable because the excuse of unreleased funds no longer exists,” he said.
He added that NELFUND has removed financial barriers for children of poor families in tertiary institutions, while SEDC shows the President’s commitment to addressing the Southeast’s long-standing developmental needs.
Ngoforo said RHGN chose to engage town unions directly because they carry moral authority and grassroots reach that formal party structures often lack.
Responding, Chief Diwe said ASITU remains non-partisan despite its engagement with governance issues. He stated that the association’s priority is improving the lives of ordinary Igbo people at the grassroots.
Diwe also highlighted ASITU’s “Aku Ruo Ulo” investment initiative, which encourages Igbo people at home and abroad to reinvest in Igboland. He said the programme is yielding results in strengthening the economic base of the region.
He further advocated for a new crop of political leadership in Igboland defined by integrity and genuine passion for development.
