Umuigbo United Assembly President General, Amb. NwaDavid Rejects Creation Of Orlu State

KINGSLEY EBERE

The proposed creation of Orlu State may have hit the rock following the rejection of the State by some communities, critical stakeholders and individuals who outrightly rejected it.

P.M.EXPRESS reports that while the people of Umuchu town in Aguata Local Government Area and Umunze in Orumba LGA of Anambra State including Imo and Abia States have vehemently opposed the idea of being included in the proposed Orlu State, they said that they are comfortable and proud to remain in their respective states.

The President General of Umuigbo United Assembly Worldwide,  Amb.Dr Raph NwaDavid (Ezeonodugo) has also rejected the creation of the State and urged the National Assembly to drop the bill being sponsored by house member, Hon. Michael Ugochinyere Ikeagwuonu.

He explained that creation of additional State(s) from the South East geopolitical zone for the sake of equity and justice is a robust and welcome idea.

However, he stated that forcing communities from different states into the proposed State without proper consultations was not acceptable.

Evangelist NwaDavid noted that there was no proper consultation with the communities and states involved by the House member, Hon. Ikeagwuonu  before he proposed the bill and it is not acceptable to the communities involved.

He stated that he was not sure that the Anambra State Governor was aware of the proposal or the President General and the traditional rulers in the communities to be carved out from the States and that was the reason for the outright rejection.

He explained that so many things was wrong in the move for the proposed State apart from the name. He gave example that merging Umuchu town with Orlu was aberration because they don’t have the same cultural affinity, just like other communities.

“The inclusion cannot be done without extensive and elaborate consultation. We have neither cultural/traditional semblance nor ethical affinity with the people of Orlu, hence cannot be included in the proposed State.”

NwaDavid explained that there was Etiti State initially proposed, which comprised communities from Anambra, Imo, Enugu, Abia and it was acceptable but the bill was not passed.

He advised Hon.Ugochinyere to start afresh and make proper consultations with the critical stakeholders so that there will be more acceptable State to be created in the Eastern part of Nigeria.