Anioma State: It’s now or never!

Sir: For over 70 years, the people of Delta North senatorial district have yearned for the amplification of their unique identity as people from Aniocha north and south, Oshimili north and south, Ndokwa east and west, Ukwuani and Ika northeast and south local government areas. And now more than ever before, their senator, Ned Nwoko from Idumuje Ugboko in Aniocha North Local Government Area is very close to achieving the state creation during the lifetime of this present government of President Bola Tinubu.

The first and second reading has been successfully done in the senate and a mere concurrent reading from the House of Representatives is being awaited as well as the third reading in the senate.  A referendum as well as two-thirds of the various state houses of assembly must follow in order for the creation to be legally accomplished. With APC controlling about 32 states out of 36, it seems a done deal. But there are enemies within the Anioma State itself! Selfish people who prefer the status quo where the Igbo speaking people of Delta State continue to suffer marginalisation even in their land and state capital.

To be sure, the Urhobos, Ijaws, Itsekiris and Isokos are all looking forward to the departure of the Anioma people from Delta State so that Warri can truly and fully assume its position as the new capital of Delta state as Asaba will revert to becoming the capital of Anioma State as publicly stated by the president of the 10th Senate, Godswill Akpabio.

A new state comes with new opportunities for everyone; so why are some unpatriotic Anioma sons and daughters against the second term senate ambition of Ned Nwoko who should be encouraged to get the state created in the lifetime of this administration?

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For these narrow minded and tribally clannish ethnic bigots, the state creation must be frustrated so they don’t lose political relevance and their seat of privileges in Delta State today. For them, only their immediate family members and hangers-on are worthy of political positions be it appointive or elective. They have been rejected before now in their polling unit, ward, local government area, senatorial district and even state. And between the last elections and now, they have not done anything by way of new achievements or even gifted new largesse to our people to show that they genuinely regret their past ways which made them frequent visitors to the EFCC.

In the collective interest of the Anioma people  in particular and the Ibo nation at large, Senator Ned Nwoko should be enabled to ensure that the state is created now and thereafter those who see political office as meant for them and their followers only can then resume their selfish schemes. They should not distract Ned and his loyal followers because should we fail to get the state now, God forbid, history will not be kind to the distractors forever nor would the scorn on all Anioma citizens be erased forever as no sane person votes against his or her enlightened self-interest.

A word is more than enough for the wise and our royal fathers should get ready to challenge the enemies of the Anioma people who do not want us to get our state created this year or early next year at the most. Ned should also be prepared to do all that’s humanly possible and practicable for us to get Anioma State created now. Whatever it takes, we want Anioma State created now!

•Prince Barr Tonnie Osita Oganah  Onicha Ugbo, Aniocha North LGA, Delta State.