By Tony Okafor, Awka
The Anambra State Association of Town Union(ASATU)has said six Presidents-General of communities in the state were killed in cold blood recently
ASATU National President, Titus Akpudo, a lawyer, stated this at a press conference in Awka the Anambra State capital on Thursday.
Akpu was reacting to an attack on the President-General ( PG)of Ifetedunu, Uchenna Nwoye by some aggrieved members of his community allegedly led by one Chief Vincent Udobi.
Akpu named the communities whose PGs were murdered to include those of Nimo( Njikoka LGA), Omor( Ayamelum LGA), Orom Etiti( Anambra West( LGA),Nanka( Orumba North LGA and Obosi( Idemili North LGA).
He said ASATU would no longer sit back and watch its members being humiliated and killed without any form of provocation, other than they are leaders of their communities.
On the Ifitedunu incident, where the PG was attacked and injured in the public, the ASATU president called on relevant authorities who had been petitioned over the incident to expedite actions on investigation and punish those found culpable to serve as deterrent to others.
He said,” Ifitedunu town union PG is our member. It’s our duty to protect him. It’s our duty to protect our members. That’s what will give them the freedom to operate freely. One needs to do his job without fear of molestation. We have had experience were PGs were killed, beaten, molested in many communities.
“The Ifitedunu PG was beaten publicly. He is a family man; how will his children and wife feel watching the video? If nothing is done about this, people will be reluctant to offer leadership to communities.
Akpudo passed vote of confidence in the state Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Mr Tonycollins Nwabunwanne.
Udobi had called for the sacking of Nwabunwanne for reinstating and recognizing Chief Uchenna Nwoye as the PG of Ifitedunu.
He said, “Governor Soludo
should take special interest in Ifitedunu by sacking Nwabunwanne for return of lasting peace which the people are truly craved for.”
But ASATU National President, who commended the achievements of the Commissioner, said most communities in the state were now calm and experiencing peace under the Commissioner.
