By Austin Oyibode
ASABA/Nigeria: Amid ongoing speculation over the status of Asaba as the capital of the proposed Anioma State, official documents have finally laid the controversy to rest.
Persistent social media rumours had alleged that plans were underway to relocate the capital to another city within Anioma once the state is created. But a review of the Anioma State Creation Bill shows that such claims are entirely baseless.
To verify the reports, our correspondent reached out to Senator Ned Nwoko, who is championing the Anioma State creation effort in the National Assembly. The senator’s office responded promptly by forwarding the official bill, offering firsthand clarity on the provisions guiding the proposed state structure.
According to the bill, Asaba is unequivocally designated as the capital of the proposed Anioma State. The document makes this declaration “boldly and without ambiguity,” effectively ending speculation that a relocation was being considered.
The bill also clarifies the territorial composition of the proposed state. It consists solely of the nine local government areas in Delta North Senatorial District, countering misinformation that parts of neighbouring Anambra State might be annexed. There is no inclusion, reference, or proposal in the bill suggesting the merger of any Anambra territory.
Beyond boundaries and administrative structure, the bill offers historical context for the renewed agitation. It notes that the demand for an Anioma homeland dates back to 1954, when the people of the region submitted a formal request to the colonial administration in London.
While that early attempt did not succeed, the bill states that it “laid the foundation that remains solid today,” highlighting the persistence and legitimacy of the call for statehood.
The document further argues that Anioma is economically viable, highlighting its substantial oil and gas deposits as assets capable of sustaining the proposed state. It stresses that creating Anioma State would not pose an undue economic burden, reinforcing confidence in the region’s capacity for self-governance.
As debates over state creation continue to gain national momentum, the Anioma proposal remains one of the strongest on the table. With the bill now providing clear positions on its capital, boundaries, and historical rationale, advocates hope the clarification will refocus public discussion on the merits of the longstanding demand.
For now, lawmakers and constituents can rely on one certainty: if Anioma State is created, Asaba will remain its capital—just as envisioned for decades.
