Anioma State: INU tells N’Assembly, Presidency to allow Igbanke People reunite with Igbo

By Ikenna Orioha…

A group that actively champions the social, political and cultural affairs of South East, Igbo National Union (INU), says it is solidly behind Igbanke People in their quest/agitation to be reunited with their ancestral Igbo Root with a view to improving their cultures and traditions and enjoying more rights, privileges and freedom as bonafide Igbo indigenes.

To this effect, INU is urging the Federal Government (National Assembly and the Presidency) to look into the quest and agitation of Igbanke People and compel the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuari II, to allow Igbanke People to reunite with their Igbo Tribe, as nature demands.

Historically, Igbanke People are parts and parcel of the Ika speaking people of Old Mid-Western State – predating 16th Century Bini (present day Edo and Delta States).

INU, who made the urge through its Chancellor and National Secretary, Prof. J. A. Mbajiogu and Sir Justin Onyenso, in a release signed and made available to the media, on Wednesday, affirmed that it is not a thing out of place for the Igbanke People to be part and parcel of Anioma State, which is being demanded for.

The group which hailed the courage of Igbanke People and their efforts to reunite with their ancestral Igbo Nation to have full freedom, called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senators and Rep Members to act fast, calling on other Igbo people in other states with alien cultures and traditions to liberate themselves by emulating the Igbanke People.

“Sequel to our recent visit to the town of Igbanke or Igbo Akiri in ancient Alaiduu land within Edo State and their desire through resolution to be re-united with their Igbo Ethnic Nationality, the Igbo National Union hereby reiterates its position to stand and affirm with the resolution of the Igbanke People.

“Igbo Nation is solidly behind them. Their being in the present day Edo State was done in error of either through coercion, state creation, boundary adjustment and circumstances beyond their control”, INU said.

Hinting that Igbanke People were erroneously lumped together with tribes that had a culture and tradition starkly different from theirs, Amajiogu and Onyenso, reflected that Igbanke People are people with similarities of cultural and traditional affinities to other Igbo sub-groups of the Igbo Nation – with slight dialectical difference.

The group added that Igbanke People’s clamour to be reunited to their Igbo Root is welcomed and long overdue, pointing out that mistakes of the past have to be fairly corrected for a peaceful co-existence and harmonious habitation with their Edo State neighbours.

“It is in lieu of the request by the Igbankes to be included in the proposed Anioma State, that the INU is calling on the National Assembly and Federal Government to without much delay do the needful by hearkening to the age long yearnings of Igbanke People and reunite them to their ancestral Root, Igbo.

“INU will be appreciative and grateful with the government of the day if this aspiration of the Igbankes with six robust closely knitted communities and ancient Igbo kingdoms are reunited to their Igbo ethnic background.

“Meanwhile, the Igbo National Union is using this auspicious moment to beckon to other Igbo sub-groups scattered into other states of Nigeria and with alien cultures and traditions other than theirs, to take a cue from the assertive action of the Igbanke people to seek for their liberation and unification with the larger Igbo ethnic nationality.

“INU is also using this medium to send a clear and strong message to the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuari II, to desist forthwith his intimidating and humiliating actions/antics against the Traditional Rulers and People of Igbanke over their resolve to be reunited with their Igbo ethnic background.

“The Oba of Benin should be informed that the era of domestic colonialism of Portugal and European attempts at changing people’s heritage and draconic proclamation is no more fashionable which failed woefully”, the group maintained.