ANIOMA STATE CREATION: ANOTHER FEATHER IN NWOKO’s CAP

By Unue Emeka

The ongoing agitation for the creation of Anioma State has gained renewed momentum, thanks to the determined advocacy of Senator Ned Munir Nwoko, the representative of Delta North Senatorial District. A seasoned lawmaker, legal luminary, and development-driven leader, Nwoko has brought fresh energy and credibility to the long-standing call for political and administrative equity in Nigeria’s state structure.

At the heart of the Anioma state creation campaign lies a pursuit of justice, inclusion, and administrative balance. With the South-East geopolitical zone still lagging behind in the number of states, the proposal for Anioma State seeks to address this imbalance while giving the Anioma people a much-needed platform for self-determination and sustainable development.

Senator Nwoko’s involvement has not only reawakened interest in the movement but also lent it a degree of structure that had been missing. His track record of competence, both in Nigeria and abroad, and his ability to build consensus across party lines, make him a uniquely positioned advocate for this historic project.

In the 10th Senate, the bill for the creation of Anioma State, sponsored by Nwoko, has successfully passed its first and second readings. This milestone, achieved within a remarkably short period, highlights the senator’s legislative acumen and his capacity to navigate complex political terrains. It is a testament to what can happen when capacity is matched with competence.

Beyond legislative milestones, Nwoko has anchored the push for Anioma State on a solid intellectual and moral foundation. He argues not only from a place of regional patriotism but also from constitutional logic and national interest. For him, the creation of Anioma is not merely an ethnic agenda but a necessary step in Nigeria’s democratic evolution and federal balancing.

Advertisement

His approach has been both inclusive and strategic. By engaging traditional rulers, community leaders, civil society, and fellow lawmakers from all regions, Nwoko has demonstrated a rare political maturity. This cross-regional engagement ensures that Anioma State creation is seen not as a divisive move, but as a unifying national project.

The scheduled public hearing by the Senate Committee on Constitution Review, set for July 4th and 5th in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, is another feather in Nwoko’s cap. It signifies that the conversation is no longer speculative — it is now institutional. The public hearing will allow stakeholders from across the federation to deliberate on the merits of Anioma State creation, further legitimising the process.

Senator Nwoko’s leadership style combines visionary thinking with grassroots connection. He has not only taken the Anioma agenda to the Senate floor but has also consistently engaged his constituents back home. From town halls to media interactions, he ensures that the people remain central to the cause.

As Nigeria continues to grapple with issues of marginalisation, lopsided development, and ethno-political tension, projects like the Anioma State creation offer a pathway to healing and inclusion. With leaders like Senator Nwoko at the forefront, the hope for a fairer and more balanced Nigeria remains alive.

Ultimately, the Anioma dream is more than a political ambition, it is a reflection of a people’s aspiration for identity, growth, and justice. And in Senator Ned Nwoko, the Anioma people have found not just a representative, but a competent champion. When capacity meets competence, progress becomes not only possible but inevitable.

Unue Emeka, a Public Affairs Analyst, Writes from Kwale, Delta State

Advertisement