Okowa Has Always Supported Anioma State, Backs Genuine Agitation

Former Chief Press Secretary to the immediate past governor of Delta State and Executive Assistant to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori on Public Enlightenment, Mr. Olisa Ifeajika, has stated that Senator Ifeanyi Okowa has consistently supported the agitation for the creation of Anioma State.

Ifeajika clarified that Okowa never kicked against the creation of Anioma State, but rather faulted reported moves by certain promoters to link the proposed state with the South-East region.

“Okowa has, throughout his entire political career, worked for the good of the Anioma people and their interests, including the agitation for the proposed state,” Ifeajika said.

He noted that the renewed agitation for Anioma State is currently being driven by a section of people with insincere and selfish political interests, making it difficult to garner broad, collective support from the generality of the Anioma people.

“Okowa’s position is that the Anioma State agitation he will support is one where the state, when created, will remain in the South-South, with Asaba as its capital. That is his position, and there is no ambiguity about it,” Ifeajika stated.

“So, the issue of Okowa’s ‘Igboness’ does not arise. Anioma State must not be in the South-East for Okowa and the rest of us to be recognized as Igbos. We are Igbos in Delta, just as there are Igbos in Rivers. Being in Delta and the South-South does not make Okowa and the rest of us any less Igbo.

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“It is the same with other ethnic groups. Take the Ijaws, for example—there are Ijaws in Ondo, Edo, Delta, Rivers, and Bayelsa states. They do not all have to be in Bayelsa to be recognized as Ijaws.”

Ifeajika cautioned against the ongoing politicization of the state creation movement, advising that any successful agitation must be driven by a broad consensus among stakeholders, including the indigenous people of the area and the state government, rather than the personal political interests of a few individuals.

“It must come from the people. You do not impose a state on a people. Everyone must be carried along, and they must collectively agree on the framework of the state they want before the constitutional process begins. Once there is a genuine consensus, the governor and other key stakeholders will naturally support it,” he added.

He also dismissed claims that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori is opposed to the creation of Anioma State.

Ifeajika noted that he is unaware of any collective endorsement of the current agitation by the people of Anioma, nor have they formally approached the governor with such a request.

Speaking during an interview on *Politics HQ* on News Central Television, Ifeajika maintained that there is no record of stakeholders involved in the renewed agitation briefing Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, nor has there been any formal correspondence or declaration expressing the collective will of the people.

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“A state governor must be formally made aware if a part of the state he governs wishes to break away to form a new state. In this case, I am not aware that the promoters of this new agitation have briefed our governor.

“How can anyone insinuate that a governor is opposed to an agitation when he was never even consulted on the matter?” Ifeajika queried.