By Anne Azuka
South-East legislators at the National Assembly have been urged to intensify efforts toward the realization of Anioma State creation, as advocates seek to secure constitutional approval for the proposed state and its zoning to the South-East geopolitical zone.
The call was made by Chief Cosmas Chikeobi Agada, Patron of the Ndi Na Asu Bia Socio-Cultural Organization (NNABSCO), following a recent solidarity rally in Asaba, Delta State, in support of the Anioma State creation bill.The rally, held about a week ago, drew a broad coalition of Anioma people from the nine local government areas of Delta North Senatorial District, alongside youths, women, and traditional groups. The demonstration also recorded participation from Igbanke and other Anioma, Ika-speaking communities in Edo State, all endorsing the creation of Anioma State and its alignment with the South-East.
Participants at the rally appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, to leverage their political influence to support the passage of the bill currently before the National Assembly.Speaking in an interview with journalists, Agada, who hails from the South-East, described Anioma State creation as a historic opportunity to address long-standing grievances and restore what he termed “lost Igbo territories.” He acknowledged that the process has faced setbacks but maintained that progress remains steady. “Despite some disappointments along the way, on the average, the process is still on course,” he said. Agada commended Ohaneze Ndigbo for officially endorsing the Anioma State project, describing the support of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization as a major boost to the agitation.“
We give kudos to Ohaneze Ndigbo for endorsing Anioma State. We are very grateful. Now, we are appealing to South-East legislators to see reasons to work for the success of the proposed Anioma State creation bill,” he stated. He urged lawmakers to rise above personal and political interests, stressing that the bill represents a collective Igbo aspiration rather than a sectional agenda. According to him, the creation of Anioma State would serve as a first step toward reintegrating Igbo communities currently located outside the South-East zone.
Agada explained that the bill is presently at the caucus stage in the National Assembly, where internal consultations and voting by legislators are critical in determining which proposed states advance in the constitutional amendment process.“ At this stage, the votes and commitment of South-East legislators matter greatly. While governors may exert influence during the concurrence stage, the immediate responsibility lies with lawmakers from the South-East to ensure the success of this bill,” he said.He expressed confidence that with unified support from South-East legislators, the Anioma State creation bill stands a strong chance of scaling through legislative hurdles.
Advocates insist that the creation of Anioma State would promote administrative efficiency, cultural identity, political inclusion, and equitable development for Anioma people, while strengthening the South-East’s representation within Nigeria’s federal structure.
