Senator Ned Nwoko, representing Delta North in the Senate, has unveiled a bill proposing the establishment of Anioma State, aiming to rectify historical oversights and address the prevailing imbalance in Nigeria’s geopolitical distribution of states.
In a statement shared on his official handle on Monday, Senator Nwoko emphasized the necessity of his proposal to counter the existing disparity in state representation across geopolitical zones, particularly in the South-East.
Highlighting the current state of affairs, he underscored that while most zones boast a higher number of states, the South-East is notably disadvantaged with only five states, except for the North-West with seven states.
Senator Nwoko lamented the resultant imbalance in representation and resource allocation, citing the South-East’s 15 lawmakers in contrast to the 18 lawmakers from other zones in the Senate.
Nwoko’s post reads, “The creation of Anioma state is both urgent and compelling. This proposal addresses the longstanding imbalance in the geopolitical distribution of states in Nigeria. The South East geopolitical zone currently has five states, unlike its counterparts, except for the North West, which has seven states.
“This disparity results in an imbalance of representation and resources, with the South East having only 15 lawmakers compared to the 18 lawmakers of other zones in the senate. This inequity affects legislative representation and the distribution of national resources, perpetuating a longstanding injustice.
“I am presenting a bill for the creation of Anioma state to correct this historical oversight. Anioma is composed of nine local government areas, six of which are rich in oil and gas resources. The region also boasts significant human capital, making it a viable and sustainable candidate for statehood. Creating Anioma state is not just about increasing the number of states; it is about ensuring fair representation and resource allocation for the South East.
“The call for Anioma state has widespread support from various stakeholders. The Anioma socio-cultural group, Izu Anioma, and the Pan Igbo cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo, have both been vocal in their advocacy for this cause.
“The political class in Anioma, including traditional rulers led by the late Asagba of Asaba, Obi (Prof) Chike Edozien, have also consistently supported the creation of Anioma state. They have held numerous meetings, including discussions with former President Olusegun Obasanjo, to voice their consensus.
“The creation of Anioma state is a crucial step towards achieving justice and equity for the South East. With the majority of stakeholders in agreement, it is time to act and bring Anioma state into existence, correct the past imbalances and ensure fair representation in national affairs.”
The proposed Anioma State, comprising nine local government areas, aims to redress this discrepancy and provide equitable representation for the South-East.
This initiative surfaced shortly after the introduction of a bill advocating for the creation of Orlu State, also in the South-East, which recently advanced to the second reading in the House of Representatives.
Spearheaded by Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere, the proposed Orlu State, with its capital in Orlu, is slated to be carved out from portions of Imo, Abia, and Anambra states.