President Bola Tinubu has reportedly promised the creation of Anioma State from the present Delta State.
Senator Ned Nwoko, federal lawmaker representing Delta North in the National Assembly disclosed this in an interview with Leadership Newspaper over the weekend.
According to Nwoko, the promise of creating Anioma State was main reason he decided join the All Progressives Congress (APC) after leaving the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
He shared that this promise gave him hope that the long-standing desire of the Anioma people for their own state might finally come true.
He also revealed that President Tinubu had already fulfilled part of his promise by securing nearly N30 billion in the budget for two dam projects in Anioma land.
This development, he claimed, would not have happened if he had stayed with the PDP.
He pointed out that the creation of Anioma State would not only give the Igbo population a deeper sense of belonging but also correct a historical neglect that dates back to the Civil War.
He recalled the suffering of many Anioma people during the conflict and said the lack of recognition over the years has caused many to deny their Igbo roots out of fear and trauma.
The senator added that Ohanaeze Ndigbo has continued to treat Anioma as part of the larger Igbo family.
He added that if Anioma State is established, many people in the area will no longer feel the need to distance themselves from their heritage.
He also said it could open the way for similar recognition of other areas like Ikwerre.
When asked if the Southeast really needs Anioma State since it is located in the South-South zone, Nwoko said its creation would bring balance.
With five states currently in the Southeast, Anioma would make it six, matching other regions like the South-South.
He explained that instead of dividing existing states, it makes more sense to form a new one with fresh land, resources, and population.
Using a story shared by another politician, Nwoko likened dividing existing Igbo states to cutting one piece of meat into five.
In his view, such moves don’t offer any real gain.
He said Anioma has oil, gas, and other natural resources, which would help it stand on its own if made a state.
Nwoko said he is confident that Tinubu will be re-elected in 2027 and that Anioma State will eventually be created, even if it doesn’t happen during the current administration.
He urged other Igbos to support the APC, saying more could be achieved by aligning with the federal government.
