‘Why opposition is fighting Nwoko over Anioma State agitation’
The campaign for the creation of Anioma State has gained renewed momentum in the National Assembly, with the advocacy entering what stakeholders now describe as its most advanced stage, even
The campaign for the creation of Anioma State has gained renewed momentum in the National Assembly, with the advocacy entering what stakeholders now describe as its most advanced stage, even as political undercurrents linked to national alliances and rivalries continue to shape the debate.
The Media and Publicity Director of the Anioma State Creation Technical Committee, Chief Tonnie Oganah, said the long-standing agitation, now strongly associated with Senator Ned Nwoko, is closer to legislative fruition than at any point in its history.
However, Oganah noted that the senator’s political alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has made the push more politically sensitive, arguing that it has also drawn him into inherited national rivalries.
“The challenges he faces are largely because of his alignment with the President. He has inherited many of the President’s political enemies,” Oganah said, suggesting that opposition to the state creation bid is partly influenced by broader national political dynamics rather than the merit of the proposal itself.
He further described Nigeria’s political environment as highly fluid and transactional, where loyalty shifts frequently across party lines.
“Some politicians are APC in the morning and PDP at night,” he said, adding that such fluidity often complicates consensus-building on major constitutional issues like state creation.
Despite these tensions, Oganah said the Anioma proposal has made significant legislative progress, countering earlier doubts about its viability.
“Some people said it would not even get to the Senate, but it has. We are close to achieving it,” he said, crediting Senate President Godswill Akpabio and leadership in the House of Representatives for facilitating its advancement.
According to him, the bill has passed critical stages and is now awaiting third reading, after which both chambers will harmonise their positions before it proceeds to a referendum to be conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
At that stage, he said, affected communities, would be asked a single question: “Do you want Anioma State? Yes or No,” stressing that the process would not involve selecting political officeholders.
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Oganah expressed confidence that the proposal would succeed, citing what he described as growing alignment among political actors across party lines and increasing cooperation from state-level institutions.
“Virtually every governor is aligned one way or another. What we need now is not opposition but support,” he said.
He traced the agitation for Anioma State to over 70 years ago, noting that it was initially driven by late Chief Barr Dennis Osadebe, Obis of Idumuje Ugboko, Aboh, Agbor and Chief Idisi Dafe, before gaining stronger political momentum under Nwoko’s sponsorship.
He likened the senator’s role to a continuation of a long historical struggle, saying political opponents often reposition themselves in reaction to his moves.
On the viability of the proposed state, Oganah argued that Anioma already possesses sufficient infrastructure and economic capacity to function independently.
“Asaba already has an airport, courts, schools and government infrastructure. This is not a state that will start from scratch,” he said, adding that the area contributes significantly to oil and gas revenues.
He also said the creation of Anioma State would create employment, contract, infrastructure renewal, more political office for all and better access to sharing of the national cake.
“We should all support Ned irrespective of our fondness, jealousy or hatred of him. APC should not make the grievous mistake of allowing Ned detractors to frustrate his re-election to the senate as he’s an ardent supporter of President Tinubu and is the reason why PDP quickly collapsed it’s structure into APC as they know Ned is a grassroots political actor well loved by the masses.” Ogannah said.
Beyond economics, Oganah framed the agitation as fundamentally rooted in identity, stressing that Anioma people are culturally Igbo but currently exist as a minority within Delta State.
“The creation of Anioma State is about identity, not just politics,” he said, adding that Nigeria’s colonial legacy had fragmented the Igbo ethnic nationality across multiple administrative boundaries.
He further argued that the creation of Anioma State would restore balance to Nigeria’s federal structure by bringing the South-East geopolitical zone to six states, in line with other regions.
According to him, such a development, alongside broader political reconciliation efforts including the release of Nnamdi Kanu, would help reduce political tension in the region.
“It will be a win-win for Nigeria, politically and economically,” he said.
Oganah urged political stakeholders to place national and communal interest above partisan considerations, warning against actions that could be interpreted as working against the aspirations of the people.
“Anioma has over 70 Royal fathers supportive of the state creation because of the attendant benefits to their people despite political affiliation and the three Royal fathers and a few other political leaders opposed to the state creation should for once put the interests of their future and children first and foremost.
“The ultimate honour is to save your people. It is better to save your people and lose politically than to go against them and win,” he said.
He added that if the proposal eventually scales through, a transitional arrangement would be put in place, with an administrator overseeing the new state before full democratic structures are established.
Oganah expressed optimism that the Anioma State aspiration, long considered a political agitation, may finally be realised within the lifetime of the current generation.
