Lawmakers representing Delta North Senatorial District in Delta State House of Assembly, along with the nine local government chairmen from the district, have vehemently rejected suggestions that a future Anioma State should fall under the South East geopolitical zone.
The push for the creation of Anioma State from the present Delta State, championed by Senator Ned Nwoko (APC), who represents Delta North in the National Assembly, has reportedly suffered another major setback, SaharaReporters has learnt.
In a letter dated May 27, 2025, Nwoko appealed to his colleagues in the Senate to support Senate Bill 481, which seeks to establish Anioma State as a corrective measure to address what he described as Nigeria’s structural imbalance.
However, lawmakers representing Delta North Senatorial District in the Delta State House of Assembly, along with the nine local government chairmen from the district, have vehemently rejected suggestions that a future Anioma State should fall under the South East geopolitical zone.
In a jointly signed statement issued on Sunday, the legislators and council chairmen reaffirmed their longstanding call for the creation of Anioma State but insisted that the proposed state must remain within the South South region, where the Anioma people are historically and administratively situated.
They condemned what they described as attempts to drag Anioma into any form of alignment or merger with the South East, arguing that such proposals contradict the historical and geopolitical identity of the people.
“We vehemently oppose any proposed move or merger with any part of the South-East geopolitical zone,” the statement declared.
“Anioma is, and must remain, in the South-South. The Anioma people are historically, geographically, and administratively aligned with the South-South. This position is deeply rooted in our heritage and is non-negotiable.”
The leaders said their position followed extensive deliberations on renewed national discussions and ongoing legislative processes concerning the creation of new states across the country, adding that the agitation for Anioma State is “a legitimate aspiration deeply rooted in history,” championed by past and present leaders of the people.
They described the struggle as a generational pursuit aimed at securing political identity, cultural preservation, and accelerated development for the Anioma nation.
The statement said, “Our quest for a distinct and autonomous Anioma State is not a fleeting political venture but a legitimate aspiration deeply rooted in history, championed by our revered forebears.
“We are united in the belief that the creation of Anioma State is a matter of justice, equity, and a necessary step towards fulfilling the political and developmental destiny of the Anioma people.”
They listed the local government areas as Aniocha North, Aniocha South, Ika North-East, Ika South, Ndokwa East, Ndokwa West, Oshimili North, Oshimili South, and Ukwuani, with Asaba proposed as the state capital with a pledge to deploy their “full political weight and mandate” to lobby and support every legitimate effort that will lead to the establishment of Anioma State.
The Delta North political leaders assured constituents that they would remain steadfast in protecting the collective interest and identity of the Anioma nation, even as discussions on state creation continue at the national level.
The statement was signed by Marilyn Okowa-Daramola, member representing Ika-North East, Delta State House of Assembly; Osamuta Emeka Prince, member representing Ndokwa East, Delta State House of Assembly; Charles Emetulu, member representing Ndokwa West, Delta State House of Assembly; Frank Esenwah, member representing Oshimili North, Delta State House of Assembly; Bridget Anyafulu, member representing Oshimili South, Delta State House of Assembly; and Chukwudi Dafe, member representing Ukwuani, Delta State House of Assembly.
Others are Monday Odigwe, Chairman, Ika-North East Local Government Area; Vincent Osilonya, Chairman, Ndokwa East Local Government Area; Goddey Obi Nzete, Chairman, Ndokwa West Local Government Area; Innocent Esewezie, Chairman, Oshmili North Local Government Area; Ezenyili Obi, Chairman, Oshimili South Local Government Area and Possible Ajede, Chairman, Ukwuani Local Government Area.
In 2024, lawmakers from Delta North in the Delta State House of Assembly withdrew their support for the Anioma State proposal, citing their experience during a recent trip to Abuja.
According to a senior Assembly official familiar with the development, the legislators were invited for a meeting on the statehood agitation and asked to sign a blank sheet of paper purportedly meant for the Anioma State creation bill.
The lawmakers reportedly insisted on seeing the bill before offering any endorsement, but no document was provided. They declined to sign and left the meeting.
The source noted that the development further dimmed prospects for the proposed state, as the creation of a new state required the participation and approval of a simple majority of State Houses of Assembly, including that of the host state.