…Renews call for Kanu’s release

By Steve Oko

Association of Igbo Town Unions (ASITU), has said it should be held responsible should the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, if voted into power, failed to deliver.

This is as the union renewed its call for the unconditional release of the Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, as ordered by various courts.

ASITU maintained that the release of Kanu would help restore peace and security in the South East, and give the people a sense of belonging.

National President of ASITU, Chief Emeka Diwe (Eze-Ebube), who made the declaration at a Special Town Hall Meeting in Umuahia, Abia State, noted that Obi’s antecedents and track record had distinguished him from the common Nigerian politician.

He explained that ASITU deliberately delayed its endorsement of Obi’s candidacy to avoid giving it a tribal colouration.

The ASITU helmsman, commended all groups and individuals from outside the South East including former President Olusegun Obasanjo; Yoruba Leader, Pa Ayo Adebanjo; Pan Niger Delta Development Forum, PANDE, Leader, Chief Edwin Clark, and a host of others that had so far endorsed Obi.

” We are confirming the endorsement of Obi and present him to Nigerians, and say thank you, we shall take responsibility if he fails because his failure means that Igbos have also failed.”

ASITU said Obi’s endorsement by the Town Unions in Igboland came after wide consultations “and leveraging on his acceptance across board in the whole of Nigeria”

The union in a statements signed by its National President, Chief Emeka Diwe; Hon Chief Gideon Adikwuru; and National Secretary, Ihudike Monday Ikokwu, said Obi would save Nigeria from total collapse.

Other signatories of the state were the President Abia State chapter, Chief (Sir) George U. Mgborukwe; his counterparts in Enugu, and Ebonyi States, Chief Paully Eze; and Ugochukwu Akpa; and Chief Titus Akpudo.

ASITU assured that Obi based on his antecedents, would not disappoint Nigerians, and solicited massive support for him on Saturday.

Describing Obi as ” our beloved son in whom they are well pleased”, ASITU called on all those interested in Nigeria’s survival to jettison primordial sentiments and vote for Obi.

The statement read in part: “Our dear Countrymen, he is our beloved son with whom we are well pleased, we guarantee you that he shall never fail you or disappoint your expectations for a greater Nigeria that beams with endless opportunities.

“We confirm and affirm his endorsement by all Nigerians. Please support him, elect him for he is undiluted representative of Ndigbo.

“We the Igbos take full responsibility for his actions and inactions, as we know he shall surpass all your expectations. We tried him as Governor of Anambra State, he did not disappoint. We appeal to you to give him a chance to pull Nigeria out from the doldrums”.

It further read:“We can therefore acknowledge without reservation the endorsement of eminent Nigerian Statesmen and Elders, including other Nigerians across ethnic, religious and party lines of Mr. Peter Obi; whom they confirm embodies what Nigeria needs right now to return to the path of sustainable growth and development.

“Notable among these great statesmen, revered Religious Leaders and highly respected Elders are former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Pa Ayo Adebanyo, Chief Edwin Clark, most Northern elders and Nigeria elder statesmen across the country.

“Others are the Council of Islamic Shekhs for Good Governance (CISGG) and its affiliate groups; the South Middle Belt Leadership Forum (SMBLF); Yoruba Pan socio-political organisation, Afenifere and the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide and Pan Niger Delta Forum, Democratic Leadership.

“The Fulani Youths under the aegis of Endan Fulaku, the 19 Northern Youth Leaders, so many other youths groups, market women and students organization too numerous to mention. They have all seen in Mr. Peter Obi the panacea to Nigeria’s numerous ills”.

ASITU gave reasons why it delayed its endorsement of Mr Obi, saying “our reluctance for rush endorsement of any candidate, despite the fact that our son, Mr Peter Obi is in the contest, was a deliberate and conscious decision taken by ASITU.

ASITU said Ndigbo are the true believers in one Nigeria as they are found in every nook and cranny of the country living peacefully with their hosts and thriving in their enterprises.

“The Igbo as you know are “citizens” of every tribe and clime. They live comfortably and invest their all in every Nigerian hamlet and are found in every polling booth. It has therefore not been possible to endorse anyone without regard to critical success factors with regard to good governance, sustainability and intergenerational equity.”.

ASITU expressed confidence that the Bi-modal Voter Accreditation System, BVAS machine would help checkmate rigging in the forthcoming polls.

It further commended the Independent National Electoral Commission for its spirited efforts to deliver a credible elections in the country.