Preamble

Who will take away the root of bitterness that is thickening over the agitation for the creation of Anioma State? This is as the dramatic personal in the campaign for the new state creation seemed to have forgotten that ‘in war, parents don’t know their children and children don’t recognise their parents.’

They forgot too that ‘all we like sheep have gone astray.’ These terms best describe the intrigue, horse-trading, blame game, commendations and crossfire outbursts that are presently rocking the push for the proposed creation of Anioma State from the present day Delta State, which was carved out of the old Bendel State in 1991.

In the beginning

The agitation did not start today. It has been on for over a decade. The late Asagba of Asaba, Obi (Prof) Chike Edozien, was among those at the forefront.

But the proponents did not know it will go in the way it is going now, hence the vexation, withdrawal, name-calling, political knavery, or call it disappointment that have greeted the renewed campaign.

The consensus for the creation of Anioma State was sealed when Chief Dennis Osadebe of blessed memory handed over the flag of the struggle for Anioma State creation to the late Senator Nosike Ikpo in a meeting of the leaders of the zone held in Agbor in 1983.

Again, in 2014, Anioma Congress, an apex socio-political group of Anioma people led by the Asagba of Asaba, went round the country to canvas support for the creation of the state.

They met prominent leaders at the time, among whom were former Presidents Goodluck Jonathan, Olusegun Obasanjo, and Ibrahim Babangida as well as the former Senate President, David Mark.

These past efforts were the foundation, which Senator Ned Nwoko, the Senator representing the district is standing on to sponsor the bill for the creation of the dreamed Anioma State at the 10th Senate.

The bible says; “Paul planted, Apollos watered and God gave the increase”. The seed of the creation of Anioma State has been planted. The consultations had been long done, hence the previous agitation for the actualisation.

Mindset

Both the protagonists and antagonists all want Anioma State to be created, however, the provocative or vexatious issue, is the idea being mooted in certain quarters that the new state will be added to the existing five states of the South East geo-political zone to make it six like other zones of the federation.

The antagonists want the new Anioma State to remain with the oil rich South South zone and be among the Niger Delta states.

For them, being in South East means it will be classified as among the Indigenous People of Biafra (POB), the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Eastern Security network (ESN), and the likes.

They will now be known under the Igbo apex body – Ohaneze N’digbo. They will no longer be under PANDEF and the nine Niger Delta states.

A house divided

Senator Nwoko and the Director-General of his Campaign Organisation, Hon Paschal Adigwe, and some political personnel from Ndokwa ethnic nationality are already engaged in war of words over the move by Nwoko.

A former Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Urban and Regional Renewal, Chief Dan Okenyi, under the immediate past Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, disagreed with the opponents.

According to him, those against its creation should have a rethink. He said, “the creation of Anioma State is not about 2027 reelection of Ned Nwoko. It is far from politics but the benefits.

This is an issue that concerns common interest, hence he is pursuing it as our representative. He is our voice. We elected him and collapsed our collective voices in a mandate for him to speak on our behalf, so he has our backing.

‘‘It is not about the messenger but the message.’’ Corroborating Okenyi, Chief Ugo Ashiboluwa, a Special Adviser to Senator Nwoko, said the nine local government areas of Anioma ethnic nationality, are solidly behind Nwoko.

He said, “The truth is that there is nothing wrong in being in the South East. That is where we belong, live and have our being.

It is better for me as Ugo to remain with my brothers who are bearing names like Ikechukwu, Chukwudi, Ifeanyi, rather than Preye, Ekpemupolo, and so on.”

In defence of Nwoko

Barrister Alex lkpeazu of the Anioma Leading Lights and an ardent proponent for the creation of Anioma State, said, “This is not about Ned Nwoko or the messenger.

Ned is only a vehicle to take us to the final destination. Is Ned the matter on ground or the many gains it carries?

‘‘Opposition should channel their protest properly and leave Ned Nwoko alone. He is an instrument in the hands of Anioma people.

He is pursuing only the agitation with legal backings and necessary constitutional values for us. “So, why the barrage of attacks on him? They left the substance and started pursuing shadow.

Those against the creation of Anioma State should state their reasons and bring up sound arguments and not insults.

“What do they stand to gain by being antagonistic or are they being used against their people? Is it a money-making venture or share the money pursuit that the Senator must now die?

Can’t they borrow their senses to sound reasoning? He further argued; ‘‘when it is created, administrative efficiency and development would assume a geometric progression in the state.

It will boost effective political representation, cultural heritage and even distribution of natural, human and economic resources.

‘‘Historical and social justice will be enhanced. It is an agitation for justice, peace, progress, fairness and equity in the political equation in the Nigeria’s landscape.

Remember that the same divisive tendencies made Urhobo people to loose Urhobo State because they could not agree on Warri as the capital territory.”

He, however, advocated for a wide range lobby and consultation at the National Assembly and the present day Delta State, irrespective of the political affiliation of stakeholders.

Not part of Biafra

Okenyi, supported by Dr Goddy Ossai, and a litany of interest groups, including Chief Fred Obuseh (the Ebube-Dike, Igbodo), Elder Chike Ifedi, and High Chief Ugo Asibelua, during the inaugural advocacy and sensitisation campaign for the actualisation of Anioma State, said, for the agitation for the Sovereign State of Biafra has been on but to no avail, and that makes rubbish of it.

He said, “Since 1967, we have been hearing about Biafra, Biafra. Has it happened? All these are child’s play.

Anioma State creation have nothing to do with Biafra because it is not part of our goal. “I want to assure you, in the next few weeks, something will happen, and you will not hear of Biafra again.”

Ossai further said, “Forget what the ‘politically elected leaders are saying concerning this move. There is lack of consciousness. People perish for lack of knowledge.

Anioma State will bring about numerous benefits even to the oppositions. “Nobody is doing anybody any favour by engaging in a conspiracy theory against the creation or the zone it is merged with.

The propaganda that Ndokwa people are against the merging of the proposed Anioma State with South East, is completely false.

“Let us not be afraid of being in the South East. What is important is out interest? Is it represented? Are we going to be in advantage or disadvantage? The truth is that we are not against the creation of Anioma State in Ndokwa nation.”

Ex-governor, others mum

The key political actors in the state, including the incumbent Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, his predecessors and other National Assembly members, have kept mum over the renewed agitation.

Chief Dan Okenyi, who reacted to this simply said, “Please, when you see them, ask about their opinion on the creation story.”

Okenyi in his presentation made these submissions; ‘‘I have been reading and listening to different opinion on the creation of Anioma State.

To start with it is a welcome development, very important we have our own state, let us forget about whether it is zone to south east or south south.

“The reality is that we share futures of both zones. In the South south we are now, what advantages are we getting from being in the zone, someone should tell me?

Also, no matter what zone it is you manage your administration, manage your government and the natural resources in your State by yourselves.

“So, if it is easier to get it created if zone to south East why we don’t support it and let us get our State.

The Delta Central and South are quietly happy because they are agitating for true Delta State and our struggle to get Anioma makes their State a reality.

“Therefore, we need to lobby their senators and their stakeholders to support it because they want theirs. Also, support the South East senators because they need to expand the south East territory.’’

Inherent resources

Also, Okenyi raised the issue of the resources inherent in the proposed new state that would make it viable and sustaining.

This is as he noted; ‘‘the next issue is what are the major resources from the propose Anioma state to sustain it, sincerely speaking it is majorly from Ndokwa nation, the largest gas deposit from Africa is found in Ndokwa land.

“Both crude oil is found there, Ndokwa has a large land mass for agricultural production more than the Ikas and Aniocha put together.

It also has a good water bodies, resources; so, Ndokwa alone can sustain the Anioma State if created. No agricultural land in Oshimili and Aniocha, they have sold all their lands to estate developers, leaving no land for agricultural activities.

“This is the reason why there should be negotiations among the Ndokwas, Ikas and the Aniocha-Oshimili. The huge revenue allocation from the Federation Account to Delta State is mainly base from the huge oil exploration in Ndokwa soil.

“I am surprised when they say out of nine LGAs six is oil producing, which of the location? Ika just joined because a boundary community with Ndokwa Nation have oil.

We need youth forum to discuss the proposed state, because they are to benefit more, and we need unity as one to make it a reality.

“If putting us in South East will make it realisable let us work towards it, no body from Anambra, Imo, Enugu, Abia or Ebonyi, will interfere in the use of our allocation neither in selecting our leaders, or utilise our natural resources.”

More support

Apostle Victor Sorokwu, the Ugo-Anioma, condemned the continued fiddling and meddling as well as the contentious politics that have greeted, what he described as; “the bold and visionary advocacy of Senator Ned Nwoko to resuscitate the creation of Anioma State as the sixth state of the South East region of Nigeria.”

He made allusion to the Bible story of Joseph and his envious brothers. He said the cruelty and wickedness that accompany envy and jealousy, if not nipped at conception, will consume the good, the bad and the ugly.

He said, “The story of Joseph teaches us to emulate Jacob, the Patriarch, who rather resorted to watch and pray for his bosom son, who manifested unusual, extraordinary potentials.

“Jacob knew Joseph was a rare, unusual seed and made him a coat of many colours. But his other children regarded the dreamer as an unduly favoured child, who deployed sublime antics to deliberately overreach himself, simply to endear himself to their Patriarch.

A former member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State, Eugene Azuka Uzum, who was the Director-General of the Bureau of Orientation under Okowa, has solidly thrown his weight behind the reactivation of the creation of Anioma State by Senator Nwoko.

Uzum commended the Senator for reactivating the creation of the state after many years when Senator Nosike Ikpo and other prominent Anioma people, pushed for its creation, but failed with the creation of Delta State thereafter.

He called for total support of the creation of the state, particularly during the public hearing of the bill, which has passed through the first reading in the National Assembly, considering the immense advantages of the state to the people of Anioma Nation, adding that not only would its creation transform the area positively in infrastructure, but would balance the geo-political arrangement in the South Eastern part of Nigeria.

He maintained that the Anioma people have Linguistics and cultural affinity with the Southeast, adding that it would further strengthen the much sought for security of the people in the federation.

He said, “I do not support the notion from some quarters that an Anioma State within the Southeast is abnormal.

Anioma people are linguistically and culturally closer to the people of the Southeast than any other parts of Nigeria; an Anioma State would further strengthen the unity of the country.

“With the creation of Anioma State we would now have our governor, three Senatorial districts, House of Assembly and a wider spectrum for greater development of Anioma Nation,” Uzum disclosed.

Need to close rank

For Ifeoma Onyeoma Agbomah, an Ikaborn politician; “I am shocked reading barrages of open letters and articles by some Anioma groups distancing themselves from the move by our distinguished Senator, Prince Ned Nwoko to have Anioma State created.

“The tones of some of these articles and letters left me wondering whether the authors of such articles and letters are from Anioma region or are being used by the enemies of the area to truncate the long yearning of the people to have a state.

“It must be noted that prominent political leaders in Anioma have been in the forefront for the creation of Anioma State. Right from the time of Dennis Osadebe, our leaders have been working together to have Anioma State.

“Now it sounds surprising to me that some individuals and groups are working with the enemies of the area to truncate the dreams of our forefathers.

“The angry oppositions to Senator Nwoko’s bill for the creation of Anioma State, also stem from the notion that Anioma State is to become the sixth state of the South East geo-political zone.

“However, the reasons for opposing the creation of Anioma as part of South East were not clearly stated by those opposing the idea and there are no reasonable augment from them as to why they think it is not proper to include Anioma State in Southeast zone.

“As far as I am concerned, the zone Anioma State belongs is immaterial, what is important is the creation of Aniona State, and if zoning it to South East will facilitate its creation, I do not have any objections to that.

“On the issues of consultations, I am aware that Senator Ned held series of meetings with constituents where he highlighted the compelling reasons why Anioma State should be in the south east geopolitical zone.

“In conclusion, I want to join the good people of Anioma region in celebrating the first reading of Senator Prince Ned Nwoko’s bill on Anioma State creation at the hallow chamber of the Senate.

We should all rally round our most distinguished Senator to realise Anioma State. More works are ahead and this is not the time to play spoiler’s role.”

Intention

Senator Nwoko has said the underlying intention of creating Anioma State is to check marginalization and correct equity imbalance in the South-East region of Nigeria.

He gave this explanation while briefing royal fathers at a meeting of the Anioma Traditional Rulers Committee, which was recently held in Owa monarch’s palace at Owa Oyibu in Ika North-East local government area of Delta State.

Nwoko narrated the origin of the noble move by him to quickly seize the opportunity provided by the Special Committee of the Senate – Constitution Amendment Committee – to create just seven states in all the geo-political zones of Nigeria, with Anioma conspicuously being mentioned in a privileged document.

He revealed that the Senate has created this Special Committee made up of 36 members, one each from the 36 states in Nigeria. Nwoko represents Delta State on the committee hence his present move for the creation of Anioma State.

Nwoko further noted that the creation of Anioma State was possible based on his private meeting with President Tinubu, who had given his nod and assurance of pulling every possible stops to make it happen.

Therefore, he called on his kindred to close ranks and support the move, which he said is what Anioma people had desired in the past 50 years.

According to the Senator, “I know I have the protection of the royal fathers to be here. Just last week here that I was in town, I visited our father, the Obi of Owa, on Sunday, who said to me that I was the only Prince in Anioma that has risen to the level of becoming a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

‘‘He assured me that the traditional institution and the people would always rise to defend, encourage and support me to succeed. On that premise, I have come back out of respect in just few days to honour this invitation.

“Let me assure you that it is in my place to speak for my people and fight to attract what is rightfully theirs to them. The Anioma State creation is what we have always wanted; and that is what I am fighting for and nothing more.’’

Monarchs meet Nwoko

Earlier in their submission, the monarch of Owa Kingdom, HRM Obi (Dr) Emmanuel Efeizomor, as the Chairman of the Anioma Traditional Rulers Committee, had acknowledged the global ripple effect of the news of the creation of Anioma State.

He said that in their meeting of June 26, 2024, they had decided to invite the Senator to brief them on the issue of Anioma State creation in order for all to be on the same page on the issue.

On his part, the Second Vice Chairman of Delta State Council of Traditional Rulers and monarch of Ubulu-Uno Kingdom, HRM Obi Henry Kikachukwu, disclosed that there had been varied commentaries on the Anioma State creation issue, maintaining that such had informed their decision to invite the Senator to officially brief the traditional rulers.

Monarchs from Delta North, the Ibo speaking extraction in Delta State have called for a more inclusive dialogue and wider consultation, with critical stakeholders on the issue of Anioma State creation, and cautioned against the ongoing internal wrangling.

This is coming after the monarchs have thrown their weight behind the recent move by Nwoko, noting that its proposed configuration in any geo-political dynamics of Nigeria should not be the cause for alarm.

They, however, said it is only in unity of purpose, cohesion and one identity, that the people of Anioma can realise their goal. The royal fathers under the aegis of Delta North Traditional Rulers Forum, during their quarterly meeting at Owa-Oyibu in Ika North East Local Government Area, called for calm among the political class and proponents of the agenda, who are already at loggerheads.

The Chairman of the Forum, the Obi of Owa, Dr Emmanuel Efeizomor Ii, supported by his Vice Chairman, the Obi of Ubulu-Unor, Dr.Henry kikachukwu I, and 10 others, said the people should unanimously agree to speak with one voice on issues of common interest.

They said the input of all strata of Anioma community should be aggregated in the pursuit of the goals. This is as they cautioned, we should stop washing our dirty linings in the public.

Senate Ned Nwoko, who is representing Delta North in the National Assembly and other elected representatives of the people, political class and other critical stakeholders should work together and engage the people to know what they want rather than embark on what is perceived as personal aggrandizement.”

Asagba-in-Council writes Tinubu

Asagba-in-Council, the apex traditional authority of Asaba, has appealed to President Tinubu to accede to the decades-long aspiration of Anioma people for the creation of Anioma State.

In a letter co-signed by the Regent, Prof. Anthony Onuora Edozien MD (Ochendo Asagba) and the Secretary of Asaba Palace, Chief Patrick N. C. Ndili, the Asagba-in-Council wrote: “Our distinguished Senator Prince Ned Nwoko, representing Delta North Senatorial District in Delta State (our Anioma) is in the vanguard for the creation of Anioma State.

He has presented a bill on the floor of the Senate for the creation of Anioma State. “For decades, way before Delta State was created, Anioma people with one voice have agitated and continue to agitate for the creation of Anioma State.

“We believe and align with Senator Prince Ned Nwoko, that the creation of Anioma State will permanently address the imbalance of the number of states in the South East as it is composed today and assuage the insecurity in the region.

We fully identify with the resolve of Mr. President to restore peace and security in the South East. “We respectfully invite Mr. President to take cognisance of our cultural, traditional and linguistic affinity with the people of the South East.

Our boundaries are well documented. Anioma State will be very viable as it has abundant human and natural resources. “It is against this backdrop that we fully support the creation of Anioma State and totally support Senator Prince Ned Nwoko on the long drawn out quest for Anioma State.

Need for unity

In another letter to the Forum of Traditional Rulers under the leadership of the Obi of Owa, Efeizomor, the Asagba-in-Council urged the Anioma monarchs to rally support of their respective community behind Nwoko for the actualisation of Anioma State.

While emphasising the expediency creating Anioma State, the Ochendo Asagba appealed to the Forum to formally write on behalf of their respective communities to the relevant federal authorities in support of the creation of Anioma State.