The bid to create Anioma State championed by Senator Ned Nwoko, representing Delta North in the National Assembly, has suffered a fresh setback as political leaders from Delta North Senatorial District strongly opposed proposals to realign the prospective state with the South-East geopolitical zone.

Lawmakers from Delta North in the Delta State House of Assembly, together with the nine local government chairmen from the district, reiterated their longstanding stance that Anioma State, if created, must remain part of the South-South region, where the Anioma people are historically, culturally, and administratively situated.

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Delta North Lawmakers Reject South-East Alignment

In a jointly signed statement released Sunday, the legislators and council chairmen condemned what they described as attempts to drag Anioma into the South-East, insisting that such a move contradicts the historical and geopolitical identity of the Anioma people.

“We vehemently oppose any proposed move or merger with any part of the South-East geopolitical zone. Anioma is, and must remain, in the South-South. This position is deeply rooted in our heritage and is non-negotiable,” the statement declared.

The Delta North leaders emphasized that the push for Anioma State is a legitimate aspiration, grounded in the region’s history and championed by both past and present leaders. They described the struggle as a generational pursuit aimed at securing political identity, cultural preservation, and accelerated development for the Anioma nation.

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Details of the Proposed Anioma State

The statement outlined the proposed Anioma State’s composition, which would include the following local government areas:

• Aniocha North
• Aniocha South
• Ika North-East
• Ika South
• Ndokwa East
• Ndokwa West
• Oshimili North
• Oshimili South
• Ukwuani

Asaba has been proposed as the state capital. The lawmakers and local government chairmen pledged to use their full political weight and mandate to support all legitimate efforts that would lead to the creation of Anioma State.

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Political Implications and History

The Delta North leaders’ stance follows a recent history of caution regarding the Anioma State proposal. In 2024, lawmakers from Delta North reportedly withdrew support after a meeting in Abuja where they were allegedly asked to sign a blank sheet of paper purportedly linked to the Anioma State creation bill. The legislators insisted on reviewing the bill before endorsing it, and no document was provided, leading them to decline participation.

This development further dims the prospects for Anioma State, as the creation of a new state requires approval from a simple majority of State Houses of Assembly, including the host state—Delta State.

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Delta North Leaders Reaffirm Commitment

Despite the setback, Delta North leaders reaffirmed their commitment to protect the collective interest and identity of the Anioma people. They urged that any legislative action on Anioma State must respect the historical and geopolitical realities of the region, warning against aligning the proposed state with any zone that contradicts its heritage.

The statement was signed by:

Delta State House of Assembly Members:

• Marilyn Okowa-Daramola (Ika-North East)
• Osamuta Emeka Prince (Ndokwa East)
• Charles Emetulu (Ndokwa West)
• Frank Esenwah (Oshimili North)
• Bridget Anyafulu (Oshimili South)
• Chukwudi Dafe (Ukwuani)

Local Government Chairmen:

• Monday Odigwe (Ika-North East)
• Vincent Osilonya (Ndokwa East)
• Goddey Obi Nzete (Ndokwa West)
• Innocent Esewezie (Oshimili North)
• Ezenyili Obi (Oshimili South)
• Possible Ajede (Ukwuani)