In a landmark unanimous decision, the Izu Anioma—an umbrella body of Anioma stakeholders comprising traditional rulers, political leaders, and student representatives in Delta North has endorsed Senator Ned Nwoko for a second term, citing his leadership in the ongoing push for the creation of Anioma State.

The endorsement followed a high-level stakeholders’ engagement, where leaders commended the senator’s “productive representation” in the National Assembly and his sustained commitment to the Anioma State project.

The traditional rulers also used the occasion to caution against divisive political tendencies, taking a swipe at former Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, over his recent entry into the 2027 senatorial race under the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Okowa, who recently declared his intention to contest, has stirred controversy by opposing Nwoko’s position that the proposed Anioma State should be aligned with the South-East geopolitical zone. Instead, the former governor has advocated its retention within the South-South.

Stakeholders described the position as counterproductive, warning that conflicting narratives could undermine the long-standing agitation for state creation.

In a move to preserve unity and maintain focus, the Izu Anioma reaffirmed support for Southeast alignment, insisting it offers the most viable pathway for actualising the Anioma State project.

This stance was reinforced during a meeting of the Technical Committee on the Creation of Anioma State, held at the palace of the Obuzor of Ibusa in Oshimili North Local Government Area.

Presiding over the session, the Obuzor of Ibusa, Louis Nwaoboshi, traced the agitation for Anioma State back to 1950, noting that successive generations have sustained the demand whenever constitutional opportunities emerged.

He commended Senator Nwoko for leveraging the current legislative window by sponsoring a bill for the creation of Anioma State, with Asaba proposed as the capital.

“This is a constitutional process which we, as a technical committee, are objectively piloting to fruition. Significant progress has been made, but the emergence of divisive politics is worrisome,” the monarch stated.

He warned against politicising the movement, stressing that the collective aspiration for statehood must take precedence over partisan interests.

“Politicising the state creation movement under our watch is unacceptable. The focus of all stakeholders must shift from party politics to the realisation of our age-long dream—Anioma State,” he added.

The stakeholders further urged political actors in Delta North to exercise restraint, warning against actions that could derail the process or create unnecessary tension ahead of the 2027 elections.

They emphasised that history would judge harshly anyone found working against the realisation of Anioma State, calling for unity of purpose as the constitutional process gathers momentum.