By Chidi Chukwutem
The recent statement issued by the Ukwuani Social Improvement League (USIL), and signed by its president, Chidi Onyechuku Uwabuofu, in reaction to Senator Ned Nwoko’s remarks on Channels Television, where he stated that “the Ukwuani people are Igbos”, has generated considerable debate.
While the concerns expressed by USIL are understandable, its response unfortunately relies more on sentiment than on verifiable historical and linguistic facts.
Senator Nwoko’s comment should not be misinterpreted as an attempt to undermine or dilute Ukwuani identity.
Rather, it reflects a historically grounded ethnolinguistic reality, that the Ukwuani, alongside other Anioma groups, share deep-rooted cultural and linguistic ties with the Igbo people.
Historical and Linguistic Connections Are Undeniable
The assertion that “Ukwuani are not Igbo” overlooks overwhelming historical, anthropological, and linguistic evidence to the contrary.
Scholarly works by renowned historians and linguists such as Prof. Elizabeth Isichei, Prof. Don Ohadike, and Dr. Nzemeke have long established that the Ukwuani language belongs to the Igboid subgroup of the Niger-Congo language family.
Ukwuani, Enuani, and Ndokwa dialects are all recognized as Igboid variants. This classification does not erase their distinct local evolution, just as the Nsukka, Ngwa, and Arochukwu subgroups remain uniquely identifiable within the broader Igbo nation.
Ethnic identity in Nigeria is multifaceted, encompassing linguistic, cultural, and political dimensions.
Acknowledging Ukwuani as part of the wider Igbo ethnolinguistic family does not diminish their individuality; instead, it affirms their historical interconnectedness within the Anioma region.
The Civil War Argument Is Historically Flawed
The claim that the presence of Nigerian Army barracks in Ukwuani territory during the Civil War proves that “Ukwuani are not Igbo” is historically unconvincing. Military deployments during the war were driven by strategic geography, not by ethnic classification.
Federal troops established bases in several Middle Belt, Yoruba, and even Igbo-speaking areas that fell under early federal control. Therefore, the wartime presence of soldiers in Ukwuani land cannot be used as a measure of ethnic distinction.
Moreover, the fact that Ukwuani communities sheltered Igbo refugees during the conflict speaks volumes of their compassion and kinship, not separation. Shared humanity and cultural closeness, not division, defined their actions during that dark chapter of national history.
Cultural Similarities Are Evidence of Shared Roots
From marriage customs and traditional music to linguistic structures and title systems, Ukwuani culture bears striking resemblance to those of other Igbo subgroups across the Niger.
These parallels are not mere coincidences. They stem from a common ancestry that predates colonial-era boundaries and the arbitrary regional classifications that followed.
Ned Nwoko’s Intent: Unity, Not Division
It is both unfair and inaccurate to accuse Senator Ned Nwoko of “historical revisionism” or political opportunism.
His advocacy for the creation of Anioma State is built on a vision of collective identity, one that recognizes the shared cultural and historical bonds among the Ukwuani, Enuani, and Ika peoples.
By situating Ukwuani within the broader Igbo family, Senator Nwoko is not seeking to erase their identity. Rather, he is reaffirming their place within a historically and linguistically consistent framework.
Just as the Urhobo, Itsekiri, and Isoko maintain distinct identities while sharing common cultural links, the Ukwuani people can proudly assert their individuality within the Igboid heritage.
Identity Should Not Be Politicized
Ethnic identity is a matter of scholarship and history, not politics or emotion. The greater danger lies in turning cultural discourse into a tool for division or populist agitation.
A people’s pride does not rest on denying their connections with others; it flourishes in acknowledging shared roots while embracing distinct evolution.
Rather than resorting to threats or inflammatory rhetoric, Anioma stakeholders should channel their energy toward the issues that truly matter, such as economic development, education, infrastructure, and youth empowerment.
Senator Ned Nwoko’s statement is consistent with historical, linguistic, and anthropological truths. The Ukwuani are a proud, distinct subgroup within the larger Igbo ethnolinguistic family, not strangers toit . Recognizing this reality does not erase their uniqueness; it simply aligns with what history, language, and culture have long affirmed.
The task before all Anioma leaders today is clear: to promote unity, not division; to celebrate diversity without denying shared heritage. Our differences make us unique, but our connections make us strong.
Chidi Chukwutem writes from Asaba.
