Town unions bashed over support for Governor Obiano’s reelection

Association of Anambra State Towns Union (ASATU) has ran into trouble waters over its alleged involvement in the re-election bid of Governor Willie Obiano.In particular, controversy has been generated over the association’s funding as well as the implication of its political activities on the unity of the people.

Already, a socio-political organization, Movement for National Integration (MNI) has called to question, the sources of funds with which it is supposedly investing in the reelection campaigns of Obiano.

The national chairman of the organisation, Chief Ben Ezeibe, accused the Towns Union body, which he claimed is not a registered political grouping of bias, saying its posturing in the coming governorship election was capable of causing chaos in the state.

Ezeibe said it is unfair for the leadership of the body, which membership spread across the state, to be used as political tool, arguing that the mounting of billboards in every part of the state in support of Obiano’s aspiration by the body is an invitation to anarchy.

“That is most unfair because ASATU is funded with tax payers’ money. In situations like this, we expect that they should be neutral and not taking sides with any political party or candidate knowing that at the end of the day, whoever wins automatically rules the state”, he said.

According to him, the stance taken by the Union was capable of overheating the polity, maintaining that it was disgraceful and dangerous that the union on engaged in a statewide rally where they endorsed the aspiration of the governor.

Nonetheless, the national president of ASATU, Dr. Jude Okolo explained that their action was informed by the desire to build a more stable and prosperous Anambra state.
He pledged the unflinching loyalty and support of Union to the Obiano administration due to what he described as visionary policies and accomplishments of the government.

He said that Ndi Anambra must show genuine commitment towards the Anambra project by putting aside party differences and joining hands with government in transforming the state.

However Ezeibe noted that the time has come for the people of the state to play politics according to their conscience, stressing that the group would partner with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Judiciary to ensure that Anambra politics is no longer business as usual.

“We will say no to cash and carry politics and a situation where voters’ conscience are influenced with monetary considerations. Political parties are expected by law to publish their accounts and to disclose all sources of funding and a situation where stolen funds and drug monies easily find their ways into Anambra political election will be resisted and the law must take its course”, he said.

He disclosed that the organization has decided to support Ifeanyichukwu Okonkwo of the United Progressive Party (UPP) for the governorship seat, saying that his understanding of political developments in the state will help to transform the state.