Anambra community rejects inclusion in proposed ‘Orlu State’

The people of Orumba North and South council areas of Anambra State have disassociated themselves from the proposed Orlu State.

Expressing satisfaction in their current geographical setting, the people said they are happy and comfortable being and remaining in Anambra State as presently constituted.

They spoke under the umbrella of Orumba Peoples Consultative Assembly (Orumba Forum).

Rising from a general meeting, the Forum vehemently opposed their inclusion into the proposed Orlu State without any iota of consultation, saying they should not be railroaded into the proposed state against their wishes.

A statement issued at the end of their meeting and signed by Nnamdi Okonkwo, the President and Bigger Ibekwe, the Secretary, said: “After a very detailed and ground-rooted consultative engagement with Stakeholders of Umunze community and other communities of Orumba North and South Local Government Areas of Anambra State, we the members of Orumba People’s Consultative Assembly, a non-partisan body formed about forty years ago as a social monitor/advocate on matters concerning Orumba people and their development, hereby do make the following very considered statements.

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“That the need for the creation of an additional state in the South East geopolitical zone of Nigeria is laudable, overdue and urgently needed for equity, justice and peace, South East geo-political zone being the only region with five states, while the rest have six one has seven. Given the above-stated reality, the bill sponsored by Ugochinyere Ikenga representing Ideato North/South Federal Constituency at the green chambers is, therefore, a clarion call for justice and equity.

“Regrettably, however, the sponsors of the bill failed woefully to conduct the extremely needed geographical, cultural, social and ethno-demographic studies, absolutely needed in state creation.

“This lack of requisite and adequate study caused them to erroneously lump and dump far-flung towns and communities with no geographical, cultural, social or historical similitude into the proposed state. This is a very loud and extremely vocal aberration and error.

“Adding Umunze, the headquarters of Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State in the proposed Orlu State is the most eloquent statement of their naivety. Historically, Umunze has never had any form of political affiliation, relationship or dealings with Orlu. Umunze was a part of the bedrock of the Awka division which eventually metamorphosed into Anambra State.”