Senator representing Delta North, Ned Nwoko, says the move to create Anioma State has gained significant momentum, with support from President Bola Tinubu and key constitutional amendment committees of the National Assembly.
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Nwoko made the disclosure at the Izu Anioma Towns Union event in Abuja during the unveiling of the maiden Anioma Cultural Festival. According to him, the push for Anioma State is now stronger than at any point in Nigeria’s recent political history.
The lawmaker said no fewer than 97 senators had previously endorsed the proposal, describing the level of buy-in as unprecedented. He explained that the bill before the National Assembly seeks to carve Anioma State from the existing nine local government areas in Delta North, covering Aniocha, Oshimili, Ika and Ndokwa zones.
He added that neighbouring communities such as Igbanke have also indicated interest in joining the proposed state.
Nwoko further noted that the joint constitutional amendment committees of both the Senate and House of Representatives have agreed on the need for an additional state in the South-East to bring the region at par with others which have six states each. He said Senate President Godswill Akpabio is in alignment with the initiative, while President Tinubu has shown readiness to approve it once the process is completed.
“We have done our homework. The lobbying and consultations have been extensive. Nothing is being left undone,” he said, adding that the proposal is now approaching a decisive phase.
He announced that political leaders, traditional rulers and representatives across the South-East will meet in Awka, Anambra State, next weekend to formally adopt Anioma as the preferred option for the new state.
Nwoko listed the remaining steps to include formal submission to the presidency, concurrence of state Houses of Assembly and governors, as well as a national referendum. If all stages are successful, he said President Tinubu would sign the creation of Anioma State into law, calling it a “historic and unifying moment.”
Calling for patience and solidarity, he said: “I did not begin this struggle, but I will finish it. Anioma State is close. A new chapter is coming.”
