The Ukwuani ethnic nationality in Delta has opposed the call for the creation of Anioma State, by the senator representing Delta North Senatorial district at the National Assembly, Ned Nwoko.
Their stand was made known in a document by the 2021 Ndokwa Neku Union (NNU) Ad hoc Committee on State Creation and signed by Vanferpuye Abanum, as chairman, Mr Abel Emah-Iyesele as secretary and other members of the committee
The document revealed that before the proposal by Senator Ned Nwoko to rekindle the campaign for the establishment of Anioma State, the Ukwuani nation had already conveyed their stance in 2021 through the Ndokwa Neku Union (NNU), the leading socio-cultural organization of the Ukwuani people, in a report presented by the Adhoc Committee on States Creation and Geopolitical Zones Arrangements.
According to the document, the key findings and definitive statements on proposed Anioma State and proposed South East Geopolitical Zone by the aforementioned committee were as follows:
1. It is well and thoroughly considered view and opinion of the generality of Ukwuani people that Anioma is not an expression of the people of the zone
2. Ukwuani had never been a part of the defunct Benin Province where Aniocha , Oshimili, and Ika were integral constituents
3. Ukwuani congenially had been part and parcel of the original Delta Province where we still share more robust cultural affinity
4. Ukwuani nation relates more comfortably and mutually with the people of the core Delta Province as against Aniocha, Oshimili, and Ika of the Benin Province
5. Though tongues may differ, and surely they do, the Ukwuani nation finds unity in diversity best within our Delta province enclave.
6. The positions enumerated and enunciated above, is the considered views and strong belief that the Ukwuani nation will be comfortable and better of placed among the comity of states with the original core Delta province peoples, that is — the Urhobo, Isoko, Itshekiri, and Ijaw ethnic nationalities.
7. With the comparative advantage Ukwuani has, Ukwuani nation can request for an Ukwuani State. We have the natural resources, population, land mass and human capital needs in abundance to make a nation state.
8. We, the entire Ukwuani people are strongly and vehemently opposed to the creation of Anioma State without recourse to factors such as capital location, LGA distribution, placement of government facilities, etc
9. We, the entire Ukwuani people are strongly opposed to Anioma State, as proposed, being grouped others to the SOUTH EAST geopolitical zone.
Other members of the committee are, Dr Mike Akpati, Hon. Aneke Efemeni, Bar. Sam Chukuji.
