Leaders of the Ndokwa and Ukwani Elders Forum (ULNEF), along with other key stakeholders, have firmly rejected any proposal to merge the Ndokwa/Ukwani Federal Constituency in Delta State with the proposed Anioma State in the South-East.
This opposition follows the introduction of a bill by Senator Ned Nwoko, representing the Delta North Senatorial District, which seeks to create Anioma State.
In a communiqué issued after a meeting in Ashaka, Ndokwa East, signed by Chief (Dr.) Dele Omenogor and Francis Otunuya Idigbe, Chairman and Secretary of ULNEF, the leaders from Ndokwa East, Ndokwa West, and Ukwani local government areas expressed strong disapproval of the proposed merger.
They reaffirmed the position of the General Mike Ndubisi-led Ndokwa Neku Union (NNU), which has opposed the creation of Anioma State within the South-East and insists that any such state should be located within the South-South geopolitical zone.
The leaders stressed their firm resistance to any attempt to merge the Ndokwa/Ukwani people with the South-East, citing concerns about the potential loss of their unique cultural and regional identity.
They emphasized that the people of Ndokwa/Ukwani have no interest in being incorporated into Anioma State, as proposed by Senator Nwoko’s bill.
“We stand by the NNU declaration,” the statement read.
“Our people will never be part of any state in the South-East. If Anioma State is to be created, it must be within the South-South zone.”
They further called on Senator Nwoko to withdraw the bill if it includes Ndokwa as part of the proposed Anioma State.
The leaders also appealed to key political figures, such as Senator Jibrin Barau, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Constitutional Review, and Senator Godswill Akpabio, President of the Senate, to reject any plans to incorporate Ndokwa into a state outside the South-South.
Additionally, they urged the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and other relevant security agencies to address individuals allegedly attempting to misrepresent the Ndokwa people for political gain, warning that intimidation or manipulation would not change their position.
Reaffirming their commitment to the South-South, the leaders declared that only the NNU, which represents the collective will of the Ndokwa people, has the authority to speak on their behalf regarding the creation of Anioma State.
In conclusion, the leaders called on President Bola Tinubu to oppose any bill that seeks to include Ndokwa/Ukwani in Anioma State, emphasizing the importance of preserving their cultural identity and heritage within the South-South.
They vowed to use all lawful means to resist any such move.
