Senator Ned Nwoko’s persistent campaign for the creation of Anioma State from the existing Delta State has encountered a significant obstacle. Representing the Delta North Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Nwoko has advocated for the new state to address Nigeria’s structural imbalances, particularly by positioning it as the sixth state in the South-East geopolitical zone.
This proposal, outlined in Senate Bill 481 dated May 27, 2025, emphasizes cultural and ethnic affinities with the Igbo-speaking region to rectify the South-East’s underrepresentation compared to other zones.
In a strongly worded joint statement issued on November 30, 2025, lawmakers from the Delta North Senatorial District in the Delta State House of Assembly, alongside the chairmen of the nine local government areas—Aniocha North, Aniocha South, Ika North-East, Ika South, Ndokwa East, Ndokwa West, Oshimili North, Oshimili South, and Ukwuani—categorically rejected any relocation of Anioma to the South-East.
They described the suggestion as “unacceptable, ahistorical, and contrary to the collective identity of the Anioma people,” underscoring that the agitation for statehood is a legitimate historical aspiration aimed at enhancing political identity, cultural preservation, and development.
The leaders firmly asserted that Anioma must remain within the South-South geopolitical zone, where it is historically, geographically, and administratively aligned.
“We vehemently oppose any proposed move or merger with any part of the South-East,” the statement declared, emphasizing that this stance is “deeply rooted in our heritage and non-negotiable.”
While acknowledging ethnic and linguistic ties to Igbo communities, they prioritized the region’s established geopolitical framework, with Asaba proposed as the capital.
This coordinated opposition represents the most unified pushback yet against Nwoko’s vision, highlighting deepening divisions among Anioma stakeholders.
As national discussions on state creation intensify, the Delta North leaders pledged to deploy their full political influence to support Anioma’s establishment solely within the South-South, vowing to safeguard the community’s interests amid ongoing legislative processes.
The rift, fueled by broader rivalries among key figures like former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, could further complicate the bill’s prospects in the Senate.
