Senator Ned Nwoko, representing Delta North in the Senate, has introduced a bill advocating for the creation of Anioma State to rectify what he describes as a historical oversight.
He announced this on his X handle on Monday, explaining that his proposal aims to address the longstanding imbalance in the geopolitical distribution of states in Nigeria.
Nwoko highlighted that the South-East geopolitical zone currently consists of only five states, in contrast to other zones, with the exception of the North-West, which has seven states.
This discrepancy, he argues, leads to an imbalance in both representation and resources. Specifically, the South-East has only 15 senators, while other zones have 18.
The proposed Anioma State would encompass nine local government areas presently part of Delta State. Nwoko emphasized that this new state is urgently needed to ensure fair representation and resource allocation for the South-East.
This proposal comes shortly after a similar bill to create Orlu State in the South-East, which recently passed its second reading in the House of Representatives.
Sponsored by Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere, Orlu State would include portions of Imo, Abia, and Anambra states, with Orlu as its capital.
In his post, Nwoko stated, “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.
“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. Creating Anioma State is not just about increasing the number of states; it is about ensuring fair representation and resource allocation for the South-East.
“The call for Anioma State has widespread support from various stakeholders. 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.
“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 creation of Anioma State is a crucial step towards achieving justice and equity for the South-East.
With the majority of stakeholders in agreement, it is time to act and bring Anioma State into existence, correct the past imbalances, and ensure fair representation in national affairs.”
