The Ukwuani Social Improvement League (USIL) has criticised Senator Ned Nwoko over his recent comments on Channels Television, in which he claimed that the Ukwuani people are Igbos.
In a statement signed by Chidi Uwabuofu, President of USIL, the group described the senator’s remarks as “inaccurate, misleading, and disrespectful” to the cultural heritage of the Ukwuani people.
“Senator Ned Nwoko’s representation has been disappointing. He has neglected the aspirations of his constituents to pursue personal interests.
“Electing him to represent the people of Delta North was a misstep that should not be repeated, ” the group said.
USIL condemned the senator’s assertion, stressing that the Ukwuani people possessed a distinct cultural identity that is separate from that of the Igbo ethnic group.
“This statement is inaccurate and misleading.The Ukwuani people have a distinct cultural identity and heritage that has been passed down through generations, ” the statement said.
The group cited historical experiences during the Nigerian Civil War as evidence of the uniqueness of the Ukwuani people.
“During the war, the Nigerian Army established barracks and a takeoff point in Ukwuani land.
”If our people were indeed Igbo, the Nigerian Army would not have done so,” the statement noted.
USIL also highlighted the compassion of the Ukwuani people toward Igbo refugees during the war, noting that they provided food and medical assistance to those fleeing the conflict.
“While we acknowledge some cultural similarities with the Igbos, we strongly believe that similarity does not imply sameness,” the group maintained.
The organisation accused Senator Nwoko of attempting to “rewrite history” for political purposes and warned that his continued misrepresentation of the Ukwuani identity could trigger a recall effort.
“We view Ned Nwoko’s actions as an attempt to rewrite our history for his own self-ambition.
“If he does not take corrective action, the people of Delta North may seek to recall him from the Senate before he completes his tenure, ” statement said.
USIL emphasised that while the senator is free to pursue his aspiration for the creation of Anioma State, he must not drag the identity of the Ukwuani people into his political ambitions.
“Governance and cultural identity are two distinct entities. As a senator, he was elected to serve the people, not to redefine or rewrite their cultural heritage, ” USIL added.
The League urged Senator Nwoko to focus on delivering the dividends of democracy and addressing the real needs of his constituents, rather than stoking cultural controversy.
“We urge him to focus on governance and leave the cultural identity of the Ukwuani people alone,” the statement read.
