ENUGU -ORUMBA indigenes, comprising of people from Orumba North and South Council Areas of Anambra state, have disassociated themselves from the proposed Orlu State currently before the House of Representatives.

The people said they are happy and comfortable being and remaining in Anambra State as presently constituted.

They spoke under the aegis of Orumba People’s Consultative Assembly (Orumba Forum).

Rising from a general meeting, the forum vehemently rejected 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 communique 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 Stake holders 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 Assemble, 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.

“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.

“We are in constant touch with our representative at the green chambers Hon. Chinwe Nnabuife, who was neither consulted nor her input sort before this rascal misdemeanor. We are hereby urging members of the green chambers, in their wisdom, to note that our representative was not consulted, this is tantamount to shaving our hair in our absence. This cannot stand.

“The loud and very clear stand and opinion of Orumba people is that we should not under any circumstance be included in the proposed Orlu state”. (Vanguard)

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