Tag: Igbo Town union

The Association of Igbo Town Unions (ASITU) has taken its dispute over the demolition of Igbo-owned properties in Lagos State to the international arena, petitioning the United Nations Human Rights Council, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the ECOWAS Court of Justice. Speaking in Umuahia, Abia State, ASITU National President Chief Emeka Diwe condemned the repeated targeting of Igbo businesses, calling the actions “economic cleansing.” “Nigeria is slowly being consumed by ethnic discrimination and selective justice,” Diwe said, accusing government institutions of failing to uphold fairness and equality. Flanked by members of ASITU’s national executive council representing Igbo communities nationwide, Diwe explained that the international petition followed multiple unsuccessful attempts to engage Nigerian authorities. “We have not lost faith in our institutions, but repeated disregard for our complaints has forced us to seek intervention from regional and international bodies,” he said. Diwe dismissed Lagos State Government’s claim that the demolished structures were built on waterways, calling it a “misleading excuse” masking deeper biases. “These properties were legally acquired and approved by the relevant authorities. Their destruction sends a troubling message to investors: property rights in Nigeria are insecure, and ethnicity seems to determine how justice is applied,” he said. He warned that demolishing legitimate businesses threatens investment, job creation, economic growth, and Nigeria’s reputation as a country governed by law. ASITU also alleged that most demolition notices were served just days before enforcement, leaving owners little time to seek legal remedies, and that authorities ignored valid building permits submitted by traders. “Many of these buildings had permits issued by the same Lagos State Government that later tore them down. This is not law enforcement—it is a deliberate attack on livelihoods and a violation of constitutional guarantees of equality and justice,” Diwe said. While urging affected individuals to remain calm and law-abiding, ASITU encouraged Igbo business owners to invest in the South-East to foster economic independence. “To our brothers and sisters in business, do not lose hope. Let us embrace the philosophy of Aku Ruo Ulo—let wealth return home. Investing in our homeland creates jobs, security, and dignity for our people,” Diwe advised. He emphasized that the association’s demand is not for secession but for fairness, mutual respect, and equal treatment for all ethnic groups in Nigeria.