2027: Check Candidates’ Background Before Voting, ASITU To Igbo Town Unions

The Association of Igbo Town Unions, ASITU, has urged its members to verify the background of political candidates before voting in the 2027 general elections and to reject attempts to influence votes with money.
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‎National President of ASITU, Chief Emeka Diwe, gave the advice on Thursday while addressing elected members of the association in Aba.
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‎Diwe said town union members must be cautious of candidates who offer money to secure votes, as such persons may not mean well for the people.
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‎He warned against electing candidates who lack the capacity to deliver democracy dividends and would abandon constituents until the next election cycle.
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‎“Town Union members must be cautious about those who would come to you with money to make you vote for them. I urge you to check the background of such candidates because they may not mean well for the people,” Diwe said.
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‎“You must be careful so that you won’t make the mistake of electing candidates who will abandon the people as soon as they are elected. They will only return when it is time for the next elections. Such person is not fit to be called a representative or a senator.”
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‎The ASITU president said the cardinal objective of town unionism is grassroots development, and the unions have a duty to enlighten people to support candidates conscious of development.
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‎He described town unions as the body with the highest population across communities and political wards in Igboland, adding that “Town Union, Development to the Grassroots” remains its guiding principle.
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‎Diwe also debunked reports that town unions are political structures set up for elections. He said while the union is apolitical, its members have the right to belong to any political party of their choice.
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‎“Town Union is apolitical, but its members can belong to any political party of their choice. Town unions do not support any political party. Town Union is the only identity of the Igbo man that has stood the test of time,” he said.
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‎He added that town unions can guide members on political decisions, particularly the election of quality people into leadership positions, but remain non-political organisations.
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