Biafra:South East Town Unions Condemn Killing Of Protesters, Sue For Dialogue

S/E TOWN UNION EXECS AT A FORUM

As the agitation for actualization of the sovereign State of Biafra intensifies, the Association of South- East Town Unions (ASETU) has kicked against the killing of protesters by the military, saying it is not the best solution to end the agitation.

Ostensibly reacting to the wave of protests in the South East particularly the killing of pro Biafra demonstrators in Onitsha recently,ASETU in a communique jointly signed by State Presidents and Secretaries of the Association drawn from the five South East States shortly after its meeting in Owerri, said “marching out to soldiers who only know how to shoot and kill against armless and peaceful demonstrating teenagers is not the best solution”.

 It rather sued for dialogue as the only option to resolve the agitation, stating that the issues of cessation are inevitable ingredients for dialogue on the negotiating table.

ASETU advised the Federal Government to find out the remote and immediate causes of the agitation and address the matter, stressing that as Town Unions and grassroots leaders, it would do its best to create the enabling environment for a peaceful dialogue and resolutions.

The Town Union executives however advised Igbos, especially those engaged in commerce and industry to think more of home and bring down their investments to the South East for unimpeded development of the region, vowing to pursue with vigour and zeal all matters that borders on the common interest of the South East.

It acknowledged the pivotal position of Igbo monarchs in the preservation of Igbo customs and traditions as well as the common integrity of their communities and admonished them to uphold their revered place in Igbo communities by not allowing themselves to be dragged into partisan politics by politicians for whatever reason.

On the war against corruption, ASETU commended the efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari in initiating the fight against corruption, describing corruption as the only deadly virus tormenting Nigeria.

It added that integrity is the only vaccine for corruption, expressing optimism that if President Buhari can deal with corruption, he will remain the greatest leader Nigeria will ever have. The South Town Unions advised the President to resist any temptation to treat all Nigerians with uneven handed justice as that would repudiate his credibility.

The group also advised State Governments in the South East and the Federal Government to partner with the town unions for grassroots aggregate development, social mobilization and maintenance of peace in the communities.

It also said it acknowledged and appreciated the level of partnership and co-operation existing among successive governments in some states and their town unions that have translated to the accelerated social and infrastructural development in those states in the most uncommon manner, advising state governments who are yet to do so to follow suit.

The group also stressed that it is committed to reposition the town unions in the south east region.

Part of the communiqué reads “As a result of the in-depth assessment of the town unions derived from the presentations of States, the NEC envisaged the urgency to reposition, fortify and return this age- long structure to its former glory as veritable vehicle of peace, order, unity and development in Igbo indigenous communities”

Based on the foregoing, ASETU resolved that the town Union is the most effective and unbiased agent of social mobilization, political education, dissemination of Information, the fulcrum of grassroots sensitization on government policies and programmes which effectively acts as feedback mechanism to the government, policies; actions and inactions of government.

It therefore cautioned the government and policy makers on the risks of dragging the town unions into partisanship which can destroy the very fabrics of the Igbo society.

The communiqué stated partly “That being protected by the Nigerian Constitution, the town union as the umbrella organization which brings every responsible adult citizen whether at home in the city or in Diaspora, together for the common goal of developing the community, and as such, has the compelling need to ensure that it remains independent and vibrant to be able to continue to fulfill its role.

It contended that the town unions in the South East is made up of men and women of honesty and proven integrity raised through the freest and most transparent election by taxable adult members of the community.

“Hence the union should remain the most reliable structure to spearhead grassroots development in our communities and collate the aggregate opinion and feelings of the people at the grassroots” the communique concluded.