In its bid to bring sanity into the Igbo apex socio-cultural organisation, otherwise known as Ohanaeze Nidigbo, the Association of South East Town Unions (ASETU) has moved to reconcile factional leaders in the Igbo group.
The group also maintained that it was absurd that a body set up as a channel for harnessing peace and unity among the Igbo people, would end up having factions, thereby deepening the existential threats of Ndigbo.
In a statement issued in Owerri, the Imo State capital by Chief Emeka Diwe and Hon. Gideon Adikwuru, National President and National Secretary respectively, ASETU, noted that despite valid complaints that the electoral process was neither open nor participatory and that the process violated the Constitution of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, there was need for everyone and all aggrieved parties to sheathe their swords and come together to fashion out a way forward.
The group maintained that the reconciliation would be inclusive and inclusive and involve men and women of integrity, so that the crisis would not rob Ndigbo so much.
“We cannot throw away the baby with the bathwater. It will amount to indelible abomination to the entire Igbo race if we allow our collective masquerade (Ijele) to fall to the ground. The way forward has to be inclusive and handled by men and women of integrity. Ndigbo need to come together and come up with a solution that ensures credible leadership at this very critical moment when we need it.
“We commend all those who have stood on the side of peace and have worked relentlessly towards its attainment during this period. We commend the stakeholders, leaders and elders of Alaigbo and many others who have worked to steer us out of this challenge. It is now time for us to pick ourselves up and demonstrate that Igbo people have internal mechanisms for conflict resolution and are not incapable of self-governance. ASETU stands ready to support and contribute to any effort that shall bring all stakeholders to the table to fashion out a way forward.”