By Felix Ekwu
The recent utterances of Basil Okoh against the agitation for Anioma State are deplorable, divisive, and steeped in ethnic bigotry. Rather than engage with the noble aspirations of the Anioma people on the merits of justice, equity, and balance in Nigeria’s geo-political structure, Okoh has chosen to descend into rhetoric that maligns a people and seeks to delegitimise their legitimate cause.
The Anioma demand for statehood is neither new nor baseless. It is deeply rooted in decades of marginalisation, historical struggle, and a collective quest for fair representation within the Nigerian federation.
Since as far back as 1949, Anioma leaders have consistently called for recognition within the nation’s political architecture. The clamour has only grown stronger as Nigeria continues to grapple with glaring imbalance in the creation of states across its six geo-political zones.
Okoh’s commentary, far from reflecting informed debate, reeks of prejudice and ethnic profiling. By reducing the Anioma cause to mere ethnic sentiments and casting aspersions on an entire people, he demonstrates intolerance and an unwillingness to embrace the democratic ideals of dialogue, inclusivity, and fairness. Such remarks not only insult Anioma sons and daughters but also undermine the spirit of unity and coexistence that Nigeria desperately needs.
It must be emphasised that the clamour for Anioma State is not directed against any other ethnic nationality. Rather, it is a legitimate pursuit of equity—a balancing act necessary for justice and stability within Nigeria’s federating units. Attempts to taint this agitation with ethnic colouration only expose the mindset of those who profit from disunity and exclusion. To dismiss the aspiration with insults is to reveal an ingrained intolerance that undermines national peace and cohesion.
Basil Okoh’s utterances deserve to be condemned in the strongest terms. They amount to nothing short of negative and deplorable ethnic bigotry directed at a just and genuine agitation. His remarks are unbecoming of anyone who claims to speak on national issues.
Nigeria must rise above the divisive rhetoric promoted by voices like Basil Okoh. The Anioma nation has every constitutional right to pursue state creation, and no amount of bigotry should be allowed to silence or delegitimise this cause. The march toward justice and equity cannot—and will not—be stalled by prejudice.
