No Matter the Zone, We’ll Benefit More as Anioma People – Chief Odogwu Speaks as Bill Nears 3rd Reading

Chief Godfrey Odogwu, Chairman of the Technical Committee and Director-General of the Anioma State Creation Movement, has expressed optimism that the decades-long dream of Anioma State will soon become a reality.

Speaking in an exclusive response to Vanguard Newspaper on the progress of the proposed Anioma State, Chief Odogwu outlined the journey so far, the challenges, the misconceptions, and the resolve of Anioma people under the leadership of Senator Ned Munir Nwoko, the Senator representing Delta North Senatorial District at the National Assembly.

Chief Odogwu recalled that on August 31, 2024, Anioma leaders, sons and daughters, numbering over three thousand, converged in Asaba for the historic Anioma Summit. The gathering, which included over twenty-five traditional rulers, professionals, youths, student bodies, market women, and artisans, unanimously declared their support for the renewed quest for Anioma State.

According to him, this was the turning point under the leadership of Senator Nwoko, who currently sits on the Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendment.

“Since then, we have seen the Bill for the creation of Anioma State pass through the first and second readings at the Senate,” he said.

“Only last month, we had a very successful outing at the Senate and House of Representatives Public Hearings at both Ikot Ekpene and Enugu, where we again powerfully presented and defended our memoranda.

“I believe our presentations were well received by the Constitutional Amendment Committees of both chambers. Even if it is only one state they will recommend for creation, it will be Anioma State.”

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Chief Odogwu acknowledged challenges but praised Senator Nwoko for his resilience, passion, and unflinching commitment to the cause.

“He has invested his time, enormous financial resources, connections, and lobbying skills to get us to where we are now, crossing every hurdle along the way and mitigating all the challenges.

“Fainthearted men would have given up long ago. Can you imagine that over ninety Senators are in full support of Ndi Anioma for a state of our own, even before the third reading of the bill?” he queried.

The Technical Committee, he said, is now looking forward to the Senate’s resumption from recess for the critical third reading of the bill, after which attention will turn to the referendum.

“We are also beginning to sensitize and mobilize our people for the referendum that will follow shortly after the harmonization of the Senate and House of Representatives positions on constitutional amendments,” he noted.

On the sensitive issue of geopolitical zoning, Chief Odogwu stressed that the Nigerian Constitution recognizes no such zones.

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“At best, these zones are political arrangements put together by political parties to help them equitably distribute party offices,” he explained.

“Hence the bill sponsored by Distinguished Senator Ned Nwoko calls for the creation of Anioma State as the 37th State of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“So technically, there should be no basis for the complaint of the few people worried that Anioma might be taken from South-South to South-East.”

While admitting that some Anioma people do not see themselves as Ndi Igbo despite cultural and linguistic affinities, he described this as a “mindset we are working hard to correct.”

Tracing the agitation back to 1954 when Chief Dennis Osadebay made the first request to the colonial office in London, Chief Odogwu said the objective has always been to bring development closer to the people, not to sever ties with other ethnic groups.

“When Anioma was part of the Western Region, that did not make us Yorubas. When we became Mid-Western Region, then Bendel, and now Delta, it was the same logic.

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“The creation of Anioma will also allow both Anioma and the remainder of Delta to prosper independently. It will be a win-win situation,” he said, noting that Senators representing Delta South and Delta Central are also in full support.

Chief Odogwu dismissed fears that Anioma might lose out if zoned to the South-East, arguing instead that the region would benefit more.

“It shouldn’t really matter where we are zoned. Rather, we are going to benefit more when we are in control of all our resources. We can also claim that Anioma has made sacrifices in the past and deserves to be named as the equity state of the South-East,” he said, recalling Anioma sacrifices during the Nigerian Civil War and massacres in Asaba and other parts of Anioma.

He pointed out Anioma’s historical links with Ohanaeze Ndigbo, citing the late Dr. Ralph Uwechue’s presidency of the group, the roles played by Dr. Ngozi Olejeme and the late Chief Dan Okenyi, and Anioma’s recognition as an Igbo state in the Ohanaeze constitution.

“The fear of Anioma being zoned to the South East is largely unfounded. It is just sentiments. We must focus on getting our state first and not worry about zoning,” he maintained.

Responding to misconceptions that Anioma leaders were not consulted, Chief Odogwu said Senator Nwoko had made wide consultations before and after the Anioma Summit.

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“On the day of the Technical Committee inauguration, he was on his feet for over one hour explaining the bill, where we are, and where we are headed. That is why we had a massive turnout at the public hearings in Enugu and Ikot Ekpene,” he said.

On the role of traditional rulers, Chief Odogwu confirmed that the Asagba of Asaba, HRM Prof. Epiphany Chigbogu Azinge, and the Dein of Agbor are co-chairmen of the Technical Committee on Anioma State.

He dismissed an old video of the Asagba expressing preference for South-South zoning as outdated, noting it was recorded before the committee’s inauguration.

“We are very thankful that two of our most prominent traditional rulers are lending their voices and experience to the committee,” he added.

On the involvement of other Anioma leaders such as former Senators representing Delta North, including Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, Chief Odogwu expressed confidence that they remain supportive of the project.

He recalled that both Okowa and Senator Peter Nwaoboshi were invited to the Anioma Summit, though Okowa was unable to attend due to a PDP event. Our job as a committee is to continue to call for unity among Anioma sons and daughters,” he said.

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Odogwu emphasized the overwhelming support from Anioma people despite distractions. “The feedback we are getting is that the majority of Anioma people want Anioma State regardless of where it is zoned.

“A few are trying to use zoning for cheap political points, but the sheer joy and euphoria that will engulf Anioma land when Anioma State becomes reality will sweep away all doubts. I can’t wait to see that day,” he declared.