By Anne Azuka
A coalition of Anioma people in Delta State has formally declared support for the Anioma State creation bill, calling for the proposed state to be zoned to Nigeria’s South-East geopolitical zone. The endorsement was made during a peaceful solidarity rally held on Monday in Asaba, the Delta State capital.
The rally, which drew participants from the nine local government areas that make up Delta North Senatorial District, also featured support from the Igbanke community of Edo State. The Igbanke people affirmed their Igbo identity and expressed a desire to be part of the proposed Anioma State in the South-East.
Participants marched from the Inter-Bau Roundabout to the Delta State Government House, chanting solidarity songs and displaying placards in support of the Anioma State creation. Some of the placards read: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Please Give Us Anioma State,” “Anioma Youths Support Anioma State,” and “Anioma People Are Happy to Unite with Our Igbo Brothers in the South-East.”
At the Government House, the coalition passed a vote of confidence in the Anioma State creation initiative and submitted two formal letters to the Delta State Government. The letters, signed by representatives of Aniocha North, Aniocha South, Ika North East, Ika South, Ndokwa West, Ndokwa East, Oshimili North, Oshimili South, Ukwuani, and Igbanke communities, were presented to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori through the Chief of Staff, Prince Johnson Erijo.
The letter submitted by Benjamin Atagana-Ofochi Esq., representing Ukwuani, appealed to Governor Oborevwori to use his office to support the Anioma State creation bill currently before the National Assembly.
Speaking on behalf of the coalition, leaders including Chief Kingsley O. Kainebi, Ambassador Chief Jude Ogbekile, and Apostle Ayo Ashiedu urged all relevant stakeholders to support the creation of Anioma State in the South-East. They reaffirmed that the Anioma people are ancestrally, culturally, and linguistically Igbo.
In a joint statement, the coalition said: “We are legitimate indigenes of Anioma—Aniocha, Ndokwa, Ika, and Oshimili—collectively known as Delta North. We are ancestrally, culturally, and linguistically Igbo.”
The group cited Article 20(1) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights as the basis for their demand, stating that the Anioma State creation would better protect their political, economic, and sociocultural interests within the South-East zone.
They added that while they have coexisted peacefully with neighbouring ethnic groups such as the Urhobo, Isoko, Ijaw, and Itsekiri across different administrative eras, the time had come for Anioma people to have a state of their own and reunite with their kith and kin in the South-East.
Responding on behalf of the governor, Prince Johnson Erijo assured the protesters that the Oborevwori administration was not opposed to the Anioma State creation. He said the government remained open, attentive, and respectful of the people’s aspirations.
Erijo explained that the process of state creation is clearly outlined in the Nigerian Constitution and includes formal petitions to the National Assembly, legislative procedures, and the conduct of a referendum across the affected local government areas and communities.
“If a majority of the people vote in favour of Anioma State, that decision will be respected,” he said, urging the coalition to sustain their peaceful approach as they pursue the Anioma State creation agenda.
