Senator Ned Nwoko pushes for creation of Anioma State

By Mathew Dadiya

The call for the creation of new state in Nigeria has been on for decades following the marginalization of certain parts of the country that demand equitability in the management and distribution of resources for the good of the people and country.

Creation of a new state in Nigeria is a matter that requires careful consideration and decision-making by the appropriate authorities – the legislative, judiciary and the executive especially the presidency. It’s a process that takes into account various factors such as demographics, economic viability, and political representation.

President Bola Tinubu can make history in the creation of additional states – Anioma, in the southern geopolitical zone, Gurara in Southern Kaduna and few others just as he took the decisive decision to remove petroleum subsidy which has lingered for long from the past leaders. The president can place his name in the sands of time with the creation of new state in the country.

Senator Ned Nwoko, representing Delta North senatorial district, has been very articulate in the call for the creation of Anioma state which he boasts, could have several impacts on the nation, saying he has presented a bill for the creation of Anioma State “to correct historical oversight.”

Senator Nwoko in a post on his X handle, said his proposal will address the longstanding imbalance in the geopolitical distribution of states in the country.

According to him, the creation of Anioma State is not just about increasing the number of states but about ensuring fair representation and resource allocation for the South East.

The demand for Anioma state is the oldest agitation since 1950s by the people of Aboh and Asaba (Aniocha, Oshimili, and Ika) divisions in the Western regional House of Assembly.

According to the lawmaker cum billionaire legal expert, the establishment of Anioma state could lead to shifts in political power and representation at both the state and federal levels, potentially influencing the balance of political influence in the surrounding zones.

Nwoko pointed out that the creation of a new state may impact the allocation of resources, including funding, infrastructure development, and public services, as resources are redistributed to accommodate the needs of the Anioma people, emphasizing the economic dynamics of neighbouring states could be influenced by the creation of Anioma state, as trade patterns, investment opportunities, and economic development initiatives may be reconfigured.

The lawmaker argued, “the creation of Anioma state is both urgent and compelling. This proposal addresses the longstanding imbalance in the geopolitical distribution of states in country.”

He said creation of Anioma state would influence socio-cultural interactions and relationships, adding that the Anioma socio-cultural group, Izu Anioma, and the Pan Igbo cultural organization, Ohanaeze Indi Igbo have both been vocal in their advocacy for this cause.

Recently, Senator Nwoko interacted with people of the proposed Anioma State in Abuja stressing that the creation of Anioma State is both “urgent and compelling.”

He recalled, “the political class in Anioma, including traditional rulers led by the late Asagba of Asaba, Obi (Prof) Chike Edozien, have also consistently supported the creation of Anioma state. They have held numerous meetings, including discussions with former President Olusegun Obasanjo, to voice their consensus.”

The billionaire legal expert assured the people, “I am presenting a bill for the creation of Anioma State to correct this historical oversight. Anioma is composed of nine local government areas, six of which are rich in oil and gas resources. The region also boasts significant human capital, making it a viable and sustainable candidate for statehood.”

Developing new infrastructure within Anioma state could have ripple effects on neighbouring states, zones and the federation at large particularly in terms of transportation networks, energy supply, and connectivity. It may also impact security dynamics.

Overall, the establishment of Anioma state would likely have wide-ranging implications for southern and other geopolitical zones, necessitating careful consideration of the potential impacts and the need for collaborative planning and coordination among all affected parties.

The lawmaker said the area has all the key considerations which make the feasibility of establishing Anioma state: Population including demographic trends and distribution; land area and geography – its natural resources and potential for economic development; economic viability – its capacity for revenue generation, job creation, and sustainable development; Infrastructure and resources as well as the availability of essential resources like water and energy will make it competes favorably with its counterpart.

The people of the Anioma have had series of consultation and consensus-building, engaging with stakeholders, including local communities, traditional leaders, and political representatives to gauge support and address concerns for the creation of their new state, Nwoko said.

Nwoko’s post reads, “the creation of Anioma state is both urgent and compelling. This proposal addresses the longstanding imbalance in the geopolitical distribution of states in Nigeria. The South East geopolitical zone currently has five states, unlike its counterparts, except for the North West, which has seven states.

This disparity results in an imbalance of representation and resources, with the South East having only 15 lawmakers compared to the 18 lawmakers of other zones in the senate. This inequity affects legislative representation and the distribution of national resources, perpetuating a longstanding injustice.”

The legal expert added that these considerations would inform the decision-making process and help determine the feasibility and implications of establishing Anioma state or any new state within Nigeria, appealing to President Tinubu to take the bull by the horn to announced the establishment of additional states in the country for the good of the people.