Anioma Youths Insist on South-East Zoning, Reject Lawmakers’ South-South Stand as Oborevwori Says Govt Has No Objection
“Anioma youths intensify calls for the creation of Anioma State and its zoning to Nigeria’s South-East, rejecting lawmakers’ South-South stance as Delta Governor Sheriff Oborevwori declares no opposition.”
A broad-based coalition of Anioma indigenes has intensified calls for the creation of Anioma State as the sixth state in Nigeria’s South-East geopolitical zone, describing the long-standing demand as overdue and critical to the political, economic and cultural advancement of the Anioma people.
The renewed agitation, which featured a large-scale peaceful solidarity march and formal engagement with the Delta State Government in Asaba, comes amid assurances from the state authorities that they are not opposed to the aspiration.
Operating under the banner of the Coalition of Anioma People in Support of the Bill for Anioma State Creation, the group—drawn from the nine local government areas of Delta North Senatorial District—formally presented its position to the Delta State Government.
The coalition comprises indigenes of Aniocha North, Aniocha South, Ika North-East, Ika South, Ndokwa East, Ndokwa West, Oshimili North, Oshimili South and Ukwuani.
In a letter addressed to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, the group asserted that the Anioma people are “ancestrally, culturally and linguistically Igbo,” stressing that their demand for statehood and zoning to the South-East is anchored on history, shared identity and internationally recognised rights, including provisions of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
According to the coalition, excising Anioma from the present Delta State and the South-South geopolitical zone would enable its people to better protect and advance their collective interests within the South-East, where they share deep historical and cultural affinity.
The group was emphatic that the proposed Anioma State would neither undermine Delta State nor threaten inter-ethnic harmony. Rather, it expressed confidence that both states would coexist peacefully, cooperate productively and leverage their respective comparative advantages for mutual development.
To demonstrate popular support, Anioma youths and stakeholders embarked on a peaceful solidarity march from Inter-Bua to the Delta State Government House, Asaba. Participants from across the nine local government areas carried placards bearing inscriptions such as “Anioma State is long overdue,” “Anioma people are happy to unite with our Igbo brothers in the South-East,” and “Anioma as the Sixth Eastern State.”
Other placards highlighted solidarity beyond Delta North, declaring support from Anioma-speaking communities in Edo State, including Igbanke, Iruo, Owa, Riuzo and Ute-Ohaeze, reinforcing the call for Anioma State with Asaba as its proposed capital.
Central to the renewed push is a bill currently before the National Assembly, sponsored by the Senator representing Delta North Senatorial District, Senator Ned Nwoko. The coalition commended his legislative initiative, noting that the bill has continued to attract goodwill and bipartisan support, reflecting what it described as a growing national consensus on the legitimacy of the Anioma cause.
Speaking on behalf of the coalition, Ayo Ashiedu, President of the Anioma Movement for the Emancipation of Anioma Nation and President of the Anioma Pastors’ Forum, described the creation of Anioma State as fundamental to the “identity, dignity and future” of the people.
He said statehood would correct historical anomalies, deepen political inclusion and accelerate development anchored on shared culture and values.
Describing the proposal as a “win-win arrangement,” the youths noted that Asaba would naturally serve as the capital of the new state, while Delta State would be free to designate a new capital elsewhere. They called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Assembly to support the bill, reaffirming their resolve to reunite with their kith and kin across the Niger.
Reiterating their demand for Anioma State and its zoning to the South-East, the coalition maintained that their Igbo identity could no longer be denied or downplayed. They appealed to the Delta State Government to lend moral and political support to the bill, acknowledging the influential role of governors in advancing state creation efforts.
Responding on behalf of the Delta State Government, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Prince Johnson Erijo, received the coalition’s letter and addressed the protesters at the Government House gate.
He assured them that the administration of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori “harbours no opposition” to the legitimate aspirations of the Anioma people.
Prince Erijo commended the peaceful and orderly conduct of the marchers, describing it as a demonstration of maturity, responsibility and genuine commitment to their cause. He disclosed that the governor had been fully briefed on the protest and had directed him to listen attentively to the concerns raised.
According to him, the agitation for Anioma State was neither misplaced nor improperly articulated and deserved sincere consideration. Emphasising the government’s respect for democratic choice and the rule of law, he remarked, quoting scripture, that “no earthly father would give a stone to a child who asks for bread.”
Explaining the constitutional process for state creation, Prince Erijo outlined the requirements, including petitions to the National Assembly, legislative consideration and the conduct of a referendum. He said such a referendum would involve all Anioma-speaking local government areas, as well as interested enclaves such as Igbanke in Edo State.
He assured that once a referendum is conducted and the majority of the people express their will, that decision would be respected.
Reiterating that Governor Oborevwori is not opposed to the creation of Anioma State, he stressed that the administration would support any outcome that reflects the lawful and expressed will of the people, urging unity among Anioma stakeholders to eliminate conflicting positions.
Earlier Report
Delta North Leaders Reject South-East Proposal, Insist Anioma State Must Remain in South-South
The renewed agitation by Anioma youths contrasts sharply with an earlier position taken by legislators representing Delta North Senatorial District in the Delta State House of Assembly and chairmen of the nine local government areas.
In a joint statement issued at the weekend, the lawmakers and council chairmen reaffirmed their support for the creation of Anioma State but insisted that the proposed state must remain within the South-South geopolitical zone.
They described proposals linking Anioma to the South-East as “vehemently opposed,” “non-negotiable,” and inconsistent with what they termed the historical and administrative identity of the Anioma people.
While acknowledging ethnic and linguistic ties with Igbo communities in the South-East, the leaders argued that Anioma’s geopolitical alignment is defined by administrative history and regional evolution within the Nigerian federation, not ethnicity alone.
