The long-standing agitation for the creation of Anioma State has reached a major milestone as the National Assembly Joint Committee on Constitutional Amendment has reportedly approved the creation of one additional state for the South-East region, a move many now believe strongly favours Anioma State.
At the centre of this renewed hope stands Senator Ned Nwoko, the lawmaker representing Delta North Senatorial District, whose persistent advocacy and deft political lobbying have brought the Anioma cause to national prominence.
A Long Dream Nearing Reality
Over the past one year, Senator Ned Nwoko has sought recognition of the he Anioma people through statehood. His argument has been simple yet powerful: the South-East geopolitical zone remains the only zone with five states, while others have six or more. This numerical imbalance, he insists, translates into less representation, fewer federal allocations, and diminished political voice.
Senator Nwoko’s proposal, encapsulated in his Anioma State Creation Bill, seeks to correct that imbalance by creating Anioma State out of the nine local government areas of Delta North and integrating it into the South-East zone.
With the National Assembly Joint Committee’s approval of one new state for the South-East in the ongoing constitutional review process, Senator Nwoko’s vision is now getting closer to realization than ever.
Ned Nwoko’s Strategic Advocacy
Senator Nwoko’s approach has combined grassroots mobilization, legislative diplomacy, and national consensus building. In the Senate, he has reportedly secured the signatures of over 90 senators supporting the Anioma cause, a feat that underscores the broad appeal and credibility of his argument.
He has also engaged governors, traditional rulers, and civil society organizations across geopolitical lines, framing the Anioma demand not as a parochial interest but as a national issue of fairness and federal balance.
Nwoko’s message resonates: “If Nigeria truly believes in equity and justice, the South-East must be brought at par with other regions. Anioma provides the perfect answer, culturally linked to the Igbo nation, economically viable, and administratively ready.”
Why Anioma Stands Out Among Other Agitations
While other proposed states such as Aba, Adada, Orashi, and Etiti have featured in various regional conversations, the emerging consensus is that Anioma has the strongest case.
Four key factors explain this:
Zonal Equity: Anioma’s creation as the sixth South-East state directly addresses the long-standing imbalance among Nigeria’s geopolitical zones.
Cultural Alignment: Anioma communities share strong linguistic and cultural ties with the South-East, making the integration seamless.
Economic Viability: The region boasts abundant natural resources, fertile agricultural land, and a strong human capital base, all vital for a self-sustaining state.
Population: Creation of Anioma State will grow the population of the South East. Rather than creating a new state which will be cut from states in the zone, Anioma State joining will add to the population in the region.
With the joint National Assembly committee’s recommendation now favouring one new state for the South-East, other agitations within the region are expected to step down in solidarity with the Anioma proposal, recognising it as the most practical and nationally acceptable option.
Political and National Implications
If Anioma State is eventually created, it will mark a historic turning point in Nigeria’s federal evolution.
For the South-East, it would mean greater representation in the Senate, House of Representatives, and federal appointments, restoring parity with other zones.
For Delta State, it would ease long-standing internal administrative pressures and provide the Anioma region with direct control over its development.
For Nigeria, it could be a model of peaceful, consensus-driven state creation, proof that equity can be achieved through dialogue rather than agitation.
Beyond politics, it would also symbolize inclusivity, healing decades of perceived marginalisation among Igbo-speaking communities west of the River Niger.
The Road Ahead
Despite this breakthrough, the process is far from over. The proposed amendment still requires two-thirds approval from state Houses of Assembly, alongside presidential assent. However, with the National Assembly’s joint committee already endorsing the creation of one state for the South-East, and the Anioma proposal standing as the front-runner, the momentum is clearly in Nwoko’s favour.
The senator has pledged to continue engaging stakeholders, ensuring that the constitutional, cultural, and administrative groundwork for Anioma’s emergence is properly laid.
A Victory for Persistence and Vision
From early advocacy to legislative breakthrough, Senator Ned Nwoko’s role has been pivotal. What began as a regional aspiration has now evolved into a national consensus on fairness and inclusion.
If Anioma State eventually comes into being, it will not only be a personal triumph for Senator Nwoko but also a historic correction for Nigeria’s federal balance, fulfilling a dream long nurtured by generations of Anioma sons and daughters.
Indeed, as momentum builds in Abuja and across the South-East, one thing is clear: Anioma State is no longer just an idea, it is a reality in waiting.
