The Association of South East Town Unions, (ASETU), an umbrella association of all the town unions in Igboland, says the Igbo land will remain hospitable and peaceful in its interactions with the other ethnic formations in Nigeria.
The groups’ assurance follows the aftermath of the End SARS protests across the country.
ASETU in a statement jointly signed by its National President, Chief Emeka Diwe and National Secretary, Hon. Gideon Adikwuru said the Igbo nation respects the diversities of the country and would continue to relate with everyone with mutual dignity.
According to the South-East Union, any insinuation that presents the Igbos as belligerent, antagonistic and mindlessly expansionist is not fair and fundamentally, anti-Igbo.
“As the umbrella association of all the Town Unions in Igboland, we have an obligation of rising to the occasion to stem the tide of this incendiary turn of an otherwise peaceful protest organized by Nigerian youths to express their displeasure over police brutality. The Town Union system, historically, has been the fulcrum of peace, development and prosperity of the Igbo Nation, and the closest administrative units to the Igbo grassroots. Essentially, the Town Unions bear the brunt for anything that affects the poor, vulnerable and defenceless people”.
ASETU further disclosed that it has put arrangements in place for a 2-day emergency security retreat to bring together all Igbo communities at home and diaspora to reflect on the challenges facing its people as a result of the fallout of the End SARS Protests.
“This is in line with the authentic Igbo democratic spirit and the collectiveness of our decision-making processes, which outcome is always reflective of collective aspirations, “the Union concluded.
Nigerians mostly the youth had gone in the streets across the country and protested the brutality of the disbanded Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS.
The protest, however, was hijacked by hoodlums leading to wanton killings and destruction of properties across the country.
