By CHINYERE Nnaemeka

The executive and members of the National Congress of Ohaji Youth (NACOY) has made their stand known over the ongoing State creation in Nigeria.

They pointed out that it is a welcomed development, but that for them, they prefer to remain in Imo State, with Owerri as the state capital.

They hinted that it is the decision of the leaders of the community, and they, the youths have only come out to throw their weight behind them.

They made their stand known on Monday, August 11, 2025, in a communique signed by the National President of NACOY, Comrade Nicholas Tochukwu Nwosu, the National Secretary, Edi Victor, among others, and made available to newsmen, at Mgbirichi community in Ohaji LGA.

Part of the communique read by the National President, Comrade Nicholas Tochukwu Nwosu reads:

“After exhaustive deliberations in our last Congres held on Saturday 2nd August, 2025, we resolved to hold this press briefing and to state as follows:

“We are fully in support of the creation of additional State in the South-East because it will correct the atrocious imbalance amsng the six geopolitical Zones.

“The people of Ohaji prefer to remain in Imo State with Owerri as the capital not only because of proximity but also because of our age-long traditional and cultural affinity which does not exist between us and the people of Orlu Zone.

“The National Congress of Ohaji Youths (NACOY) rejects in its entirety any move to include us in the proposed Orlu/Anim state or any other political contraption.

“It is quite unfair that Ohaji with a population of over 400,000 people comprising 25 recognized autonomous communities and 7 electoral wards, which is much bigger than four local government areas in some parts of Imo State was regrettably merged with Egbema. With our population and land mass which is approximately 958.010sqkm, Ohaji is due for three Local Government Areas.

“We want to also use this medium to state categorically that the inclusion of Ohaji district in Orlu Senatorial Zone abini-tio was an inconvenient political marriage that was merely driven by annexation, conquest and bribery of few leaders who yielded to this aberration, but thank God, the time has come for its correction.

“Political alliance and relationships should be by choice and agreement and not by compulsion and to that extent we say emphatically NO to our inclusion in the new Orlu or Anim State but YES to Imo State where we rightfully belong and wish to remain due to proximity, religious and boundary ties.

“We, the youths of Ohaji support our fathers and the leadership of OGBAKO OHAJI, the apex Social-Cultural Organization of the Ohaji Nation to say, Ohaji will not be part of the proposed Orlu or Anim State. As much as we support the creation of additional state in the South East geopoljitical zone, the people of Ohaji insists, we remain in Imo state with Owerri as its capital.

“It is our prayer thaț the voice of the people of Ohaji would be given utmost attention as it is our fundamental rights to determine where we should belong.We also call on leadership of National Assembly to consider creating three Local Government Areas out of the present Ohaji district.”

Umuagwo youth President, Comrade Opara Nnamdi, CSO of Ohaji, Johncliff Ogbuehi, among others, reiterated all that the National President read.