ASABA/Nigeria: The Delta State Government has declared that it is not opposed to the creation of Anioma State, provided the long-standing demand is pursued strictly in accordance with due constitutional procedures.
This position was made clear on Monday when Anioma youths drawn from the nine local government areas of Delta North Senatorial District staged a peaceful protest to the Government House, Asaba, to renew their agitation for the creation of Anioma State and its zoning to the South-East geopolitical zone.
Addressing the protesters at the Government House gate, the Chief of Staff, Government House, Prince Johnson Erijo, assured them that the administration of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori harbours no opposition to the legitimate aspirations of the Anioma people.
He emphasized that the state government remains firmly committed to democratic choice, the rule of law and the expressed will of the people, stressing that any outcome must reflect the collective decision of the majority.
Prince Erijo commended the peaceful and orderly conduct of the youths, describing it as a mark of maturity, responsibility and genuine commitment to their cause. He disclosed that Governor Oborevwori had been fully briefed on the protest and had directed him to engage the group directly and listen to their concerns.
According to him, the agitation for Anioma State was neither misplaced nor improperly articulated and therefore deserved sincere and objective consideration.
Drawing from scriptural allusion, the Chief of Staff noted that leadership has a responsibility to respond to the genuine needs of the people, remarking that “no earthly father would give a stone to a child who asks for bread.”
He further stressed the importance of unity among Anioma people, noting that a common and clearly defined position would strengthen the agitation and eliminate conflicting voices. “If the people are in agreement as to the Anioma they desire, there should be no room for dissenting opinions,” he said.
Explaining the constitutional framework for state creation, Prince Erijo said the process is clearly outlined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and involves the submission of petitions and memoranda to the National Assembly, legislative consideration and the conduct of a referendum.
He explained that the referendum would cover all Anioma-speaking local government areas, including Aniocha North and South, Oshimili North and South, Ika North East and Ika South, Ndokwa East and West, Ukwuani, as well as other interested enclaves such as Igbanke in Edo State.
Prince Erijo assured the protesters that once a referendum is conducted and a majority of the people express their desire for Anioma State, that decision would be respected. He reiterated that Governor Oborevwori is not opposed to the creation of Anioma State and would support any outcome that reflects the majority will of the people through lawful means.
While thanking the youths for their peaceful conduct, he urged them to sustain their calm and law-abiding disposition as they continue to pursue the cause, assuring them that any collective decision reached by the people would be honoured in line with constitutional provisions.
Earlier, the protesting youths, operating under the banner of a coalition, reaffirmed their demand for the creation of Anioma State and its zoning to the South-East, declaring that ancestrally, culturally and linguistically, they are Igbo people whose identity could no longer be denied or downplayed.
Speaking through their leaders, including Ofochi Atagana for Ukwuani youths, Ayo Ashiedu for Aniocha North, Kingsley Kainebi for Ika North East and Chief Jude Ogbekile for the Igbanke community, the protesters appealed to the Delta State Government to lend moral and political support to the agitation.
They acknowledged that state creation follows constitutional procedures but noted that governors play a critical role in advancing such causes. Describing the proposed Anioma State as a win-win arrangement, the youths said Asaba would naturally serve as the capital of the new state, while Delta State would have the opportunity to designate a new capital elsewhere.
The youths also called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Assembly to support the bill for the creation of Anioma State, reaffirming their resolve to be reunited with their kith and kin across the Niger.
