The Ndokwa Professional Network (NPN) has faulted the claim by Senator Ned Nwoko that the Ndokwa-Ukwuani people of Delta State are Igbo and speak the Igbo language.
In a statement jointly signed by its President, Mr. Nigel Ojji; General Secretary, Dr. Great Ijomah; and Board of Trustees Chairman, Dr. Edike Kaine, the group described Nwoko’s remarks as “factually inaccurate, historically misleading, and culturally inconsistent” with the identity of the Ndokwa-Ukwuani people.
The NPN noted that Senator Nwoko, who hails from Idumuje-Ugboko in Aniocha North Local Government Area, is not from the Ndokwa-Ukwuani region and may lack firsthand knowledge of its people’s history and culture.
“Given that the senator spent much of his formative years abroad, it is understandable that his understanding of local ethnic histories may have been shaped by secondary sources or generalised classifications that do not reflect the lived realities of the Ndokwa-Ukwuani,” the statement read.
The group emphasized that the Ndokwa-Ukwuani and Igbo are two distinct ethnic groups within Nigeria’s ethnolinguistic landscape, adding that while there are linguistic and cultural overlaps due to proximity, these do not imply shared ancestry or identity.
“Ethnic identity goes beyond language. It is rooted in ancestry, cultural expressions, governance systems, and self-identification. To equate linguistic similarities with ethnicity is both historically and anthropologically flawed,” NPN stated.
The organisation further argued that the Ndokwa-Ukwuani people have preserved unique socio-political structures, traditions, and belief systems that distinguish them from their Igbo neighbours.
“Ndokwa-Ukwuani occupies a distinct geographical and cultural space in Delta State, encompassing Ndokwa East, Ndokwa West, and Ukwuani local government areas,” the statement continued. “Our people trace their ancestry through indigenous lineages and oral traditions independent of Igbo origin theories.”
NPN also pointed out that reputable historians and anthropologists have recognised Ndokwa-Ukwuani as a separate ethnic identity, with its own language, traditional institutions, and worldview.
“The Ndokwa-Ukwuani heritage is rich, deeply rooted in agrarian wisdom, communal values, and spiritual reverence for the land. This unique identity deserves accurate representation, not conflation or oversimplification,” the group said.
The NPN concluded by urging scholars, politicians, and media platforms to approach ethnic discussions with diligence and cultural sensitivity, stressing that Nwoko’s comments reflected his personal opinion, not historical fact.
It reaffirmed its commitment to preserving the integrity of Ndokwa-Ukwuani identity and promoting unity based on respect for Nigeria’s ethnic diversity.
