Okowa shuns Anioma summit as Agbor monarch endorses state creation 

The immediate past Governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, and some notable politicians in Delta North have shunned the Anioma Stakeholders’ Summit organised by the Senator representing Delta North, Ned Nwoko, to push for the creation of Anioma State.

The Guardian learned that though the former governor was invited to the summit, he declined to attend not only because he was not initially carried along, but also because the notion that ceding the proposed state to other regions would be seen as a pyrrhic victory.

This development was confirmed by Nwoko who stated that Okowa would want the new state, if created, to remain in the South-South.

The Anioma nation, which is part of the Delta North Senatorial District, has nine local councils: 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, which was the venue for the summit, Nwoko said: “I told Okowa what we are doing. He told me he is supporting Anioma State. But he said it should be in South-South Nigeria.”

According to him, agitation for the creation of Anioma State had spanned over five decades, noting that they would get it right this time. Nwoko added that the summit was convened to reawaken the consciousness of the Anioma people on their desire to be independent.

“So, the state can be located in the South East or South South geopolitical zone, provided “Anioma people have a state of their own,” he said.

Meanwhile, for the Dein of Agbor Kingdom, His Royal Majesty Benjamin lkechukwu, Keagborekuzi 1, the quest for Anioma State is a welcome development, as long as it is not an illegitimate quest, and not intended to disintegrate the country.

The monarch said that the agitation for Anioma State is in order and needs to be encouraged by all and sundry.