The immediate past governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, and some notable political personnel in Delta North have shunned the Anioma Stakeholders Summit organised by Senator Ned Nwoko to push for the creation of Anioma State.
The Guardian learned that although the former governor was invited to the summit, he declined to attend, not only because he was not initially involved in the scheme of things, but also due to the notion that ceding the proposed state to other regions would be seen as a pyrrhic victory after all.
This development was confirmed by the convener himself, Senator Ned Nwoko, who stated categorically that Okowa would want the new state, if created, to remain in the South-South part of the country.
The Anioma nation, which is Delta North senatorial district, has nine local government areas: Oshimili South, Oshimili North, Aniocha South, Aniocha North, Ndokwa West, Ndokwa East, Ukwuani, Ika North East, and Ika South.
Speaking at the Grand Hotel, Asaba, Delta State, the venue of the summit bustling with Anioma people, Ned Nwoko (PDP, representing Delta North at the National Assembly) said: “I told Okowa what we are doing. Okowa told me he is supporting Anioma State. But he said it should be in South-South Nigeria.”
According to him, the agitation for the creation of Anioma State has spanned over five decades, but this time they shall get it right, noting that the summit was convened to reawaken the consciousness of Anioma people on their desire to be independent. He stated that the state could be located in either the South East or South-South geopolitical zone, provided “Anioma people have a state of their own.”
He informed that the bill for the creation of the state had passed the first reading at the Senate and would soon be read a second time.
For the Dein of Agbor Kingdom, His Royal Majesty Benjamin Ikenchukwu, Keagborekuzi I, the quest for Anioma State is a welcome development, “so long as it is not an illegitimate quest and not intended to disintegrate the country.”
The Monarch said, “The agitation for Anioma State is in order and needs to be encouraged by all and sundry.”
The traditional ruler, who was a special guest at the Stakeholder Summit, added, “There is legitimacy in an Anioma State, but it should not be politicised; rather, it should be taken as a collective dream of all Aniomas due to the long-term benefits.”
“I am very much in support of any agitation that is not intended to cause disaffection or lead to national security concerns. I am fully in support of this Anioma State creation agitation, in as much as it is not driven to distort the Nigerian federation. I thank the distinguished Senator representing Delta North Senatorial District, Senator Prince Ned Nwoko, for championing the cause of a truly homogenous state for Aniomas. It is a welcome development, and we should ensure the entire process is supported,” the Dein of Agbor advised.
