Anioma State: We’ve Met Constitutional Requirements, Next is the Referendum – Sen. Ned Nwoko

Senator Ned Nwoko, representing Delta North Senatorial District, has reaffirmed his strong commitment to the creation of Anioma State, expressing confidence that the long-awaited demand will soon become a reality.

The senator, known for his bold developmental initiatives, stated that all constitutional requirements for the creation of Anioma State have been met, and that a referendum on the issue is expected to take place within the next few months.

Speaking during an interview on the ongoing national discourse about state creation, Senator Nwoko emphasized that the people of Anioma are united and overwhelmingly in support of the proposed state.

“Nobody is opposing the creation of Anioma State. I don’t know any Anioma man or woman who is against it,” Nwoko declared.

“Anioma is rich, six of our local government areas are oil and gas producing. We have the highest gas deposits in Africa, vast agricultural land, and we are more than self-sufficient.”

Highlighting the economic strength of the proposed state, Nwoko noted that Anioma contributes significantly to Delta State’s revenue, asserting that about 40 percent of Delta State’s federal allocation comes from Anioma.

He maintained that Anioma possesses all the resources necessary to function independently, both economically and administratively.

“Anioma is much more ready to be self-sufficient than most current states. We have the natural and human resources to sustain ourselves and contribute to national development,” the senator stated confidently.

Nwoko recalled that during the recent retreat of joint National Assembly committee in Lagos, political stakeholders and constitutional experts agreed on the need for the creation of an additional state in the South East geopolitical zone to bring it at par with other regions of the country, each having six states.

“It was agreed that one state should be created for the South East to make it six. After that, there will be one new state per zone to make seven in each geopolitical zone,” he explained.

According to Senator Nwoko, the movement for Anioma State has made significant progress within the National Assembly, and the legislative process is approaching its final stages.

“We have met all constitutional criteria for state creation. The referendum will come within the next few months. We’ve got the guidelines and are following due process,” he assured.

He further revealed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed support for the initiative, provided that the National Assembly completes its legislative work.

“I discussed with Mr. President, and he assured me he would support it as long as we at the National Assembly do our part. Once we conclude the third reading and the referendum, the President will take it from there,” Nwoko said.

“The President is very strategic, and I believe the most important thing he can do for us now is to give Nigeria Anioma State. It will bring peace to the South East.”

Drawing parallels with his past achievements, Senator Nwoko expressed optimism that the Anioma State project would succeed.

“There’s nothing I’ve put my hand to that I haven’t achieved,” he remarked. “When I said I would build a Sports University, many doubted me, but today it is in its third year.

“When I said I was going to Antarctica, people questioned the possibility, but I went there. Even when I worked on the Paris Club refund, they said it was impossible to take foreign governments to court, yet we succeeded.”

Senator Nwoko stressed that the creation of Anioma State would not only enhance equity and representation in Nigeria’s federal structure but also foster peace and inclusion in the South East region.

“The President loves the Igbo people and wants peace in the South East. The creation of Anioma State will be a major step toward that peace,” he affirmed.

The Anioma people, predominantly of Igbo origin, occupy the Delta North Senatorial District in Delta State. The agitation for Anioma State has persisted for decades, with advocates arguing that its creation would correct the imbalance in the number of states across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones and provide fairer representation for the Igbo population west of the River Niger.