Akpudo disclosed that the restriction takes immediate effect and will remain in place till lifted through a formal directive from the national body of ASATU, while adding that all matters related to the youth wing should also be directed to the national body.
By Deborah Hassan
365Daily – The Government of Anambra State has announced the suspension of all activities of the youth wing of the Anambra State Association of Town Unions (ASATU) till further notice.
In a letter dated October 5, 2022, with reference number ASATU/GHA/AGM/AY/001/003 signed by the National President of ASATU, Barr. T. N Akpudo, said the ban was in response to recent circumstances and developments surrounding the affairs of the youth wing of the organisation.
He added that the suspension covers all meetings, activities, events and any form of gathering of ASATU youths in local, zonal, state and national levels.
Akpudo disclosed that the restriction takes immediate effect and will remain in place till lifted through a formal directive from the national body of ASATU, while adding that all matters related to the youth wing should also be directed to the national body.
The announcement of the suspension was validated by the Commissioner for Youth Development, Anambra State, Mr. Patrick Agha Mba, in a press statement where he relayed the support of the state government for the decision.
He stated: ”I want to first thank Mr. Governor, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo CFR for his love for Anambra youth and his achievements so far.
”One of the youth stakeholders in the Ministry of Youth Development, ASATU Youth was supposed to have their election on the 5th of October 2022 but due to security concerns and other reasons the state government issued a directive on the 4th October, 2022 suspending the election till further notice.
”It has come to the knowledge of the State Government that some persons ignored the directive of the government and went ahead to conduct a kangaroo election, thereby declaring themselves as winners.
”This administration believes in rule of law, and therefore any affront to the state will not be condoned. The purported election remains null and void and those parading themselves as winners will not be recognised by the state government. Let it be clear that anybody parading himself as elected leader of ASATU Youth is challenging the authority of the state government and will be addressed accordingly.
”The statement made by the National President of ASATU Chief Barr. Titus Akpudo is valid and supported by the Ministry of Youth Development.
”The Ministry of Youth Development as a supervisory body over the activities of youth in the state including ASATU Youth, is poised to look into the ASATU Youth organisation with a view to reorganising it to function optimally and in line with the Community based approach agenda administration.”