TBEMagazine1: ASITU THANKS NIGERIANS FOR FOR CHOOSING PETER OBI
Ahead of February 25, 2023 general election, the Association of Igbo Town Unions (ASITU) has handed over Mr Peter Obi, the candidate of Labour Party to be voted as the next President of Nigeria and urged the federal government to release Maazi Nnamdi Kanu.
The group which also appreciated former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and other eminent Nigerians for supporting Peter Obi made it's position known in a Press conference held in Enugu.
FULL TEXT;
We are now at the most critical moment in the history of our nation. We face existential threats. These threats are real, and nobody should make mistakes about them. From a battered economy, to shattered social institutions, and to a wolf of insecurity, there is now a nagging fear that our country is fated to doom. Our actions or inactions this time will determine our collective survival or otherwise. We must act now or else we perish.
OUR IDENTITY
Those who are conversant with the configuration of Igbo society already understand that the Town Union is not just any other group within Igboland. The Town Union is the institution which expresses the truest spirit of Igbo democracy and republicanism. It began with the origin of Ndigbo and has survived even colonial onslaughts, and till date it remains the grassroot administrative structure that cuts across all social, religious, geographical and demographic cleavages of Igboland.
Though we pursue good governance for Igbo and Nigerians, yet the Association of Igbo Town Unions is non partisan while it maintains productive collaboration with Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, that provides the critical canopy and melting pot.
There are about 2152 autonomous communities' town unions across Igboland with Presidents General and Executive Members as the structural leadership. This is replicated in all places in Nigeria and in Diaspora. Any Igbo who is not a member of a town union is either suffering from a severe defective personality, a questionable character or expelled from the union for gross misconduct. Moved by our love, patriotism and loyalty to our dear nation, Nigeria, we speak to Nigerians all over the world to, once again, proffer some advice and share some of our concerns about the forthcoming general elections and other matters.
APPRECIATION TO NIGERIAN YOUTHS
We wish to place on record that the efforts, concerns, preparations and political participation of Nigerian youths in the forthcoming elections have been phenomenal.
The youths are obviously the strength of the nation, and if we must reclaim our country from systemic collapse, they must lead the way. We have also argued at different times and in various occasions that the youths are the greatest stakeholders in the Nigeria project. To our delight, they have now risen to take their pride of place.
INDEPENDENTNATIONALELECTORALCOMMISSION (INEC)
We wish to also appreciate the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), for at least appreciating the great need for conducting credible elections in 2023.
Despite some noticeable challenges and shortcomings, we commend them on the measures they have so far put in place to ensure that Nigerians collect their PVCs across the country. It is, therefore, a step in the positive direction that Nigerians turned out in fairly good numbers to collect their PVCs within the period of the last extension of voter cards collection. This speaks eloquently about the genuine desire of Nigerians to vote and change the circumstances of the country with their votes in the next general elections. Therefore, we join other well-meaning Nigerians to congratulate ourselves for such great feat.
We do hope that it will translate into action that will usher in the Nigeria of our collective dream.
POLITICALPARTIES
We also think that the political parties deserve commendations. We are witnessing a slight deviation from the usual campaign of calumny, destruction, and violence that characterized the style of our political campaign in the recent past. There is a seeming change in status quo. Most of them now talk about what they have to offer to Nigerians.
Apart from pockets of disgruntled politicians and infractions and thuggery by misguided party supporters, the candidates, especially the presidential candidates, freely transverse tribes and states other than theirs as they sell their manifestos to Nigerians. This is most commendable because, "though tongue and tribe may differ, in brotherhood we stand." We stand with Alhaji Waziri Ibrahim on his plea for "politics without bitterness."
OUR PAST COMMUNICATIONS
At this juncture, we will like to recall our widely circulated press statement of 5th December, 2022, where we said that "ASITU considers 2023 general elections as a critical moment of decision for Nigerians, a period they have to take their destinies in their own hands".
We mentioned that it was an opportunity for our people, to reclaim Nigeria by voting competence, character, capacity and credibility; vote for fairness, equity, justice, inclusiveness and deliverable ability. Fellow countrymen and women, as we get closer to the elections, particularly the presidential contest, the unfolding situation has continued to confirm the veracity of that statement.
The candidates have all offloaded their manifestos and we already know their pedigree and past records. We are convinced that Nigerians have weighed the options, evaluated the three major presidential candidates and have spoken to ourselves. We have also allowed our consciences to speak to us.
NIGERIANS NOW KNOW THE TRUTH ABOUT THE PRESIDENTIALCANDIDATES
We, therefore, know the truth about who among the candidates can fix Nigeria including tackling insecurity across the country. Truth is that the hardship and economic downturn in the country does not discriminate among parties, tribes nor religions. We are all victims of the collapsed healthcare and also feeling the pangs of the infrastructural decay and social chaos in the country. As Nigerians, we must shun political party affiliations, ethnic sentiments and religious biases, and cast our votes for the best candidate. We must jettison all fault lines, including religion, tribe and all unhelpful primordial sentiments, and think about the survival of Nigeria, which is also our collective survival.
Let us elect a president that can heal our land, restore our dignity, reinvent our institutions, rebuild the family, restructure the nation and remake the man and make Nigeria great again. Like we said, Nigerians already know the right candidate.
WHY ASITU DELIBERATELY DELAYED ENDORSING ANY CANDIDATE
It is, however, important to note, that all through this time, the Association never at any time, made categorical statement of endorsement of any of the major candidates in the forthcoming presidential election namely: His Excellency, former Governor Peter Obi of the Labour Party, His Excellency, former Governor, Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress Party (APC) and His Excellency, former Vice President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
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.
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 of good governance, sustainability and intergenerational equity. Such well thought out strategy was borne out of our determination not to taint the presidential race with tribal or religion sentiments, but to create atmosphere of unbiased choice by Nigerians.
OUR AFFIRMATION OF THE ENDORSEMENT OF MR PETER OBI AS THE NEXT PRESIDENT OF NIGERIA
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 the country needs right now to return to the path of sustainable growth and development.
Notable among them are former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, Chief Edwin Clark, many Northern elders and their likes across the country. Some other groups backing Obi/Datti for President are: Council of Islamic Sheikhs for Good Governance (CISGG) and its affiliate groups, the Southern Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF), Yoruba Pan socio-political organisation, Afenifere, Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), and the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.
Also in the league are Fulani youths under the aegis of Endan Fulaku, the 19 Northern youth leaders, so many other youth groups, market women and students' organisations too numerous to mention. They have all seen in Mr. Peter Obi, the panacea to Nigeria's numerous ills.
OUR VOW AND COMMITMENT TO NIGERIANS ON PETER OBI
The Town Unions in Igboland, having consulted widely in and outside Igboland and leveraging on this total acceptance across board in the whole of Nigeria, Africa and the world, we hereby CONFIRM and hand over Peter Obi to Nigerians for Presidency 2023. 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 Igbo, 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.
OUR APPEAL TO NIGERIANS IN DIASPORA
To achieve this, Nigerians in Diaspora must get deeply involved. This is why we call on Nigerians in the diaspora to make a rational political investment in the forthcoming election. Whatever resources they can send home to their relatives to help mobilize them to vote aright and also immune them from the adverse influences of cruel politicians who wish to buy votes and perpetuate the bad governance in Nigeria should be considered worthy. They should realize that if our nation was better governed, there would have been no need for them to flee the country. In view of festering penury in Nigeria, which is the direct consequence of bad leadership, millions of Nigerians at home now depend on those in the Diaspora for daily bread.
OUR POSITION ON MAZI NNAMDI KANU
Finally, in our earlier communications, we had stated that the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu would aid the restoration of law and order in the troubled Igboland and lead to fruitful engagement which will bring about peace and genuine reconciliation. This remains the position of all the Town Unions in Igboland, and we are convinced that it is the best course of action for the Federal Government since Mr. President has earlier promised to abide by court ruling on the matter. May God bless Nigeria.
Signed 1. Chief Emeka Diwe National President /PG Imo State
2. Hon. Chief Gideon Adikwuru National Secretary
3. Ihudike Monday Ikokwu National Public Relations Officer
4. Chief SirGeorge U. Mgborukwe PG Abia State Town Unions
5. Chief Barr. Titus Akpudo (Ichaka) National President, ASATU
6. Chief Barr. Paully Eze Coordinating PG, Enugu State Town Unions
7. Chief Ugochukwu Akpa PG Ebonyi State Town Unions
Naijabad: Nigerians with good conscience will not vote the Presidential candidate of the APC, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Tinubu fondly called the Jagaban went against known principle of choosing a running mate in any election in Nigeria.
Against every good reason, Tinubu choose a moslem as a running mate when himself is a moslem.
Tinubu's plan is to set Northern Christian against their Moslem brothers. The people have seen this bad intentions and have decided to vote against him.
The killing of southern Kaduna Christians started immediately Elrufai won his second term on a moslem moslem ticket.
Tinubu is a known drug dealer and a financier of touts commonly called Agberos. These are urchins who have made life difficult for good people especially in Lagos state.
Nigeria cannot continue to have people whose background, education, source of wealth, parentage, age etc is in doubt.
Nigerians must rise up and condemn Tinubu's candidature in this coming general election.
and it's very unfortunate for a Christian presidential candidate like obi to bribe CAN for endorsement
iCONING: This is a poll conducted in the streets of Ogun state by an Ogun Indigene oooo ... This is a live poll with living human beings,who have their PVCs captured on video . 😂
Ceenaija: Nigerians have gone spiritual and desperate for Peter Obi to win this election. One Cosmas from Nsuka in Enugu State who resides at umunya in oyi local government area of Anambra state has decided to abandon his twin brother and climbed to a tall tree only to fast and pray for Peter obi to win the presidential election.
He refused to come down despite the pleadings and supplication of his twin brother.He insisted that he will not come down until Peter Obi is announced the winner. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ha_FMPgHp0U
IDENNAA: Shut up and watch beautiful pictures courtesy of Obi's magic......yes , the Igbo man you hated will be the rock on which this nation will be built. The Igbo will bring pride to the faces of the suffering Nigerians. Deal with it
Pastor Chris Oyakhilomen of Christ Embassy endorses Peter Obi of Labour Party. He said this a few minutes ago at the Loveworld Convocation Arena. He said asked members to use their PVCs and vote for the Candidate whose name is in the Bible; Peter
Who would have believed that this day would come when APC fights APC?
I think the masses are one step to liberation. I remember in 2015 when someone said that APC is not a party but a group of people United by their hatred of one man - Jonathan. I have the feeling that they've transferred the hatred to their presidential candidate.
this is next president of Nigeria according to majority of Nigerians voters
Obasanjo has verified Obi is the incoming president of federal republic of Nigeria
Automatically obi has come last in this election, hahahaha chaii OBASANJO that has lost relevance in politics since 2019 TINUBU let us laugh at him he doesn't know politics
PointZerom: Tinubu must be irrelevant to have visited him.
TINUBU is not like obi where Ordinary visit is endorsement. Being in politics those not mean I can't visit you for other talk. People visit general abdull Salam in minna or ty danjuma in taraba state when ever they are in that state, and those people are not politicians. Every state has that kind of people
[quote author= post=120997205]#PeterObi was unable to fly down to Ile-Ife due to the bad weather caused by the harmattan haze. The town hall meeting held as planned through Zoom
Finestgurlie: List of banks still accepting old notes(N500, N1000):
Agbado Central Bank of Nigeria Bello Merchant Bank El Rufai Apex Bank Gandollar Commercial Bank PLC Mattawalle Community Bank Sanwolu International Bank
PointB: Peter Obi is a Nigerian businessman and politician who was the Governor of Anambra State in Nigeria from 2006 to 2014. He was born on July 19, 1961, in Onitsha, Anambra State.
Before he became a politician, Obi was a successful businessman, and he was the chairman of Next International Nigeria Ltd, a conglomerate involved in various sectors of the Nigerian economy, including hospitality, real estate, and agriculture.
As the Governor of Anambra State, Obi was known for his focus on education, healthcare, and infrastructure development. He also implemented various policies aimed at improving the state's economy, such as promoting small and medium enterprises and encouraging foreign investment.
After his tenure as Governor, Obi has remained active in Nigerian politics and has been a vocal advocate for good governance and accountability. He has also been involved in various philanthropic activities, particularly in the area of education.
In 2019, Obi was the Vice Presidential candidate of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) in the Nigerian general election, which the party ultimately lost to the incumbent All Progressives Congress (APC).
Seeing how he radiates hope, and expresses no politics of bitterness, I hereby endorse His Excellence Mr. Peter Gregory Obi for president!
A New Nigeria is POssible!
and a Nigerian who doesn't has regards to his religion
Politics › Re: Emefiele’s Campaign Vehicles Provoke Questions by yarimo(m): 11:52am On Feb 18, 2023
