ABUJA/Nigeria: Senator Ned Munir Nwoko, representing Delta North Senatorial District in the National Assembly, has reaffirmed his firm commitment to the long-standing demand for the creation of Anioma State, expressing confidence that the dream is closer than ever to becoming a reality.
The senator, widely known for his visionary and developmental pursuits, disclosed that all constitutional requirements for the creation of Anioma State have been duly met and that a referendum on the issue is expected to be conducted within the next few months.
Speaking in an interview on the ongoing national discourse on state creation, Senator Nwoko maintained that the people of Anioma are united and unwavering in their support for the proposed state, insisting that there is no opposition to the movement among the Anioma people.
“Nobody is opposing the creation of Anioma State. I don’t know any Anioma man or woman who is against it,” Nwoko declared confidently.
Highlighting the vast economic and natural resources of the proposed state, the senator emphasized that Anioma is rich and self-sufficient, noting that six of its local government areas are oil and gas producing and that it hosts the largest gas deposits in Africa, along with fertile agricultural land and abundant human resources.
“Anioma contributes significantly to Delta State’s revenue. About 40 percent of Delta State’s federal allocation comes from Anioma. We have what it takes to stand on our own,” he stated.
According to Nwoko, Anioma’s economic viability and administrative preparedness make it more than ready to function as a self-sustaining state within the Nigerian federation.
“Anioma is much more ready to be self-sufficient than most current states. We have the natural and human resources to sustain ourselves and contribute meaningfully to national development,” he added.
Recalling discussions during the recent National Assembly Joint Committee retreat in Lagos, Senator Nwoko explained that both political stakeholders and constitutional experts unanimously agreed that the South East geopolitical zone deserves an additional state to bring it at par with other regions, each of which has six states.
“It was agreed that one state should be created for the South East to make it six. After that, there will be one new state per zone to make seven in each geopolitical zone,” he said.
He further revealed that the legislative process for Anioma State creation has reached an advanced stage within the National Assembly and that lawmakers have adhered strictly to the constitutional provisions guiding state creation.
“We have met all constitutional criteria. The referendum will come within the next few months. We’ve got the guidelines and are following due process,” he assured.
Senator Nwoko also disclosed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed willingness to support the initiative once the National Assembly concludes its legislative responsibilities.
“I discussed with Mr. President, and he assured me that he would support it as long as we at the National Assembly do our part. Once we conclude the third reading and the referendum, the President will take it from there,” Nwoko stated.
Describing President Tinubu as “a strategic leader who understands the importance of equity and peace,” Nwoko stressed that the creation of Anioma State would bring lasting peace and inclusion to the South East, correcting long-standing structural imbalances in Nigeria’s federal arrangement.
“The President loves the Igbo people and wants peace in the South East. The creation of Anioma State will be a major step toward achieving that peace,” he emphasized.
Drawing parallels with his past accomplishments, Nwoko said he remains confident that the Anioma State project will succeed, just as his previous initiatives — including the Sports University of Nigeria and the Paris Club Refund legal victory — which many had initially doubted.
“There’s nothing I’ve set out to do that hasn’t been achieved. When I said I would build a Sports University, people doubted me, but today it is in its third year. The same thing with the Paris Club refund — people said it was impossible, but we succeeded,” he remarked.
Senator Nwoko concluded by affirming that the creation of Anioma State will enhance fairness, representation, and national cohesion, especially for the Igbo-speaking people west of the River Niger, who have long felt marginalized.
“Anioma State is not just an Anioma agenda; it is a national necessity for equity and peace,” he asserted.
The Anioma people, predominantly of Igbo origin, occupy the Delta North Senatorial District of Delta State. The agitation for Anioma State has spanned several decades, driven by calls for balanced state representation among Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones and fair inclusion of the Igbo population in the South-South and South-East regions.
