By CHARLES IWUOHA

A group, Voters Rights Association of Nigeria (VRAN), has said that the agitation for the creation of Orlu State is a mere figment of the imagination of the proponents who want to continue their political dominant and marginalisation, “as presently done in Imo State, where the rotation principle of governorship has been thrown to the winds”.

The group stated that is yet to understand the rationale why “Orlu, a glorified village with hardly any amenity to show for role of state capital, will be the name of the so-called Orlu State and also at the same time be the state capital.”

This was contained in a statement signed by VRAN President, Dr Jezie Ekejiuba, and made available toNews Expresson Friday, June 14, 2024.

According to the statement, the proponents of Orlu State “also want the people to believe that the dubious way to go about the suspicious agenda was their selfish desire to hijack many communities that make up Anambra South Senatorial District of Anambra State to add to their Orlu State magic without even consulting the Constituents through their representatives namely Senator and House of Representatives members at the National Assembly, Abuja.”

According to the statement, “VRAN believes strongly that Orlu State is merely a figment of imagination of the proponents who wants to continue their political domination and marginalisation as presently done in Imo State where the rotational principle of governorship of Imo State has been thrown to the winds.

“A clever look of the evil political agenda of the so-called Orlu State proponents or sponsors is to create a majority Orlu and minority segments from Anambra South Senatorial district communities so as to make Orlu’s political dominance a fait accompli. Anambraians will not allow this!

“If the NASS is now determined in the interest of equity to create one additional state from the South East, common sense dictates that the original Equity State or Etiti State with State Capital at Umunze or Okigwe already decided and created by the 2014 National Constitutional Conference during the Goodluck Jonathan Administration should be revisited in the interest of equity and social justice.”