Senator Ned Nwoko, representing Delta North in the Senate, has introduced a bill for the creation of Anioma State to address a historical oversight and correct the longstanding imbalance in the geopolitical distribution of states in Nigeria.
In a post on his X handle on Monday, Nwoko highlighted that the South-East geopolitical zone currently has only five states, unlike most other zones, except for the North-West, which has seven.
He argued that this disparity results in an imbalance of representation and resources, with the South-East having only 15 lawmakers compared to the 18 lawmakers from other zones in the Senate.
The proposed Anioma State would comprise nine local government areas currently part of Delta State.
Nwoko’s proposal follows closely on the heels of a bill for the creation of Orlu State in the South-East, which recently passed a second reading in the House of Representatives.
Sponsored by Hon.Ikenga Ugochinyere, Orlu State would be carved from portions of Imo, Abia, and Anambra states, with Orlu as its capital.
Nwoko’s post reads, “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.”
