Umunze, a community in Anambra State, has rejected the proposal to make it part of the proposed Orlu State.
The rejection is contained in a communiqué issued by Orumba People’s Consultative Assembly (Orumba Forum) at the end of its general meeting held on Saturday, June 22, 2024.
A statement issued, yesterday, by the President of the forum, Nnamdi Okonkwo, and the Secretary, Bigger Ibekwe, noted that the decision to reject the move to make Umunze a part of the proposed Orlu State was taken after a consultative engagement with stakeholders of the community and members of Orumba North and South local councils of the state.
The statement reads: “We, the members of Orumba People’s Consultative Assembly (Orumba Forum), a non-partisan body formed about 40 years ago as a social monitor/advocate on matters concerning Orumba people and their development, hereby, do make the following considered statements:
“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 is the only region with five states, while the rest have six; in fact, one has seven.
“In view of the above stated reality, the bill sponsored by Ugochinyere Ikenga, representing Ideato North/South Federal Constituency is, therefore, a clarion call for justice and equity.”
The forum, however, noted that the sponsors of the Bill failed to conduct the needed geographical, cultural, social and ethno demographic studies needed in state creation, stressing that the lack of requisite and adequate study caused the committee to erroneously join far-flung towns and communities with no geographical, cultural, social or historical similitude into the proposed state.
