ABUJA/Nigeria: Senator Ned Nwoko has said the renewed push for the creation of Anioma State is approaching a major breakthrough, despite resistance from some political quarters.
Speaking in a telephone interview, the senator said the proposal has moved beyond scepticism to serious national consideration, buoyed by growing support within the National Assembly. He noted that what was once dismissed as unrealistic has now become a prominent national issue.
Nwoko said opposition from some political actors, whom he argued would explain benefit from the creation of Anioma State, has not slowed the momentum of the agitation. He recalled that early doubts expressed by members of the Delta State House of Assembly and some lawmakers from Delta North in the House of Representatives did not weaken his resolve to pursue the bill.
“They kept telling me it wouldn’t work, that it is not possible to create states,” he said. “But I remained focused to the point that Anioma State is now a national discussion.”
The senator expressed concern over public opposition by some Delta North political actors who reject the proposed location of Anioma State in the South East geopolitical zone. He argued that while critics insist Anioma should be placed in the South South, none has initiated any legislative process to pursue that alternative.
“If they want Anioma in the South South, why have they not initiated any bill to that effect?” he asked. “You don’t just make statements without action. If you believe in an alternative, you must lead the process.”
According to Nwoko, the absence of any formal legislative effort by opponents, particularly members of the House of Representatives from Delta North, weakens their position and delays the realisation of a cause rooted in the long-standing historical aspirations of the Anioma people.
Providing insight into the legislative process, the senator disclosed that Anioma State recorded strong backing during voting among the South East caucus of the National Assembly. He said the proposal outperformed several others during the first round of voting.
Nwoko explained that Ebonyi, Abia and Imo states voted for Anioma in the initial round, while Anambra and Enugu voted for other proposed states. He said a second round of voting further strengthened Anioma’s position, with additional states listing it as their second choice.
According to him, sustained lobbying over the past two weeks has yielded significant results, with a majority of senators now signing in support of the Anioma State bill. He added that some proposed states, including Aba, Etiti and Orlu, have since dropped out of contention, further consolidating Anioma’s standing.
The senator alleged that two members of the House of Representatives from Delta North worked against the voting process, claiming that one voted for a rival proposal while efforts were also made to stall proceedings.
Responding to claims of inadequate stakeholder consultation, Nwoko insisted that extensive engagements were held before and during the legislative process. He cited meetings with traditional rulers, cultural organisations and community groups across Anioma land, as well as consultations with Anioma groups in Abuja.
“We had a summit at Grand Hotel in August last year. I met with kings in Owa, Obior, Okpanam, Asaba, Ndokwa East and West. I met with Ndokwa Neku in Ukwuani, Onu Ika in Ika, and various Anioma groups in Abuja,” he said.
Nwoko also welcomed the growing involvement of young people in the agitation, describing it as a positive development that has injected fresh energy into the struggle.
He reiterated that his bill proposes Anioma State in the South East, with Asaba as the capital and nine local government areas constituting the state. He downplayed zoning concerns, stressing that the creation of the state remains the priority.
“Zoning is secondary,” he said. “Once you have a state, you have a state.”
As the National Assembly prepares to resume in January 2026, the senator said proponents of Anioma State remain optimistic, but realistic, about the road ahead.
