A socio-cultural body in Delta State, the Ndokwa Professional Network (NPN) has condemned comments by Senator Ned Nwoko suggesting Ndokwa-Ukwuani people belong to the Igbo ethnic group.
The group insisted that Ndokwa-Ukwuani communities have their own identity and are not part of Igboland.
Ndokwa Professional Network reacted after the lawmaker allegedly claimed that Ndokwa-Ukwuani speak Igbo and share Igbo ancestry. According to the group, his remarks are inaccurate and misleading.
In a statement signed by its President, Mr Nigel Ojji; General Secretary, Dr Great Ijomah; and Board of Trustees Chairman, Dr Edike Kaine, NPN dismissed the senator’s comments, stressing that they do not reflect the true origin or culture of the people.
“While we hold Senator Nwoko in high esteem as a respected legislator and advocate of Delta North interests, his recent comments are factually inaccurate, historically misleading, and culturally inconsistent with the established realities of the Ndokwa-Ukwuani people of Delta State,” the group stated.
According to the body, Senator Nwoko is not from Ndokwa-Ukwuani and may not have firsthand knowledge of their ancestry and traditions. They noted that he hails from Idumuje-Ugboko in Aniocha North, outside the Ndokwa axis.
It added that the senator spent much of his early life abroad, which may have shaped his understanding of the region’s ethnolinguistic history. While acknowledging possible good intentions, NPN argued that his position lacks accuracy.
“Ndokwa-Ukwuani are not Igbo…” the statement stressed, explaining that proximity to South-East states has created cultural overlaps, but not shared ethnic origin.
NPN pointed out that their communities possess distinct governance systems, cultural practices, and ancestral lineage different from the Igbo people. They urged researchers and commentators to avoid generalisations that could erase their heritage.
Their message also highlighted that language similarities do not automatically determine ethnicity, noting that many groups in Nigeria share linguistic features but remain culturally and historically separate.
NPN called for sensitivity when addressing ethnic classifications, warning that careless claims may distort identity and history.
The body reaffirmed its dedication to preserving Ndokwa-Ukwuani culture while promoting peaceful coexistence with neighbouring groups.
The article was originally published on Politics Nigeria.
