ASABA: A coalition of Anioma people in Delta State, alongside representatives of the Igbanke community, has formally declared support for the bill seeking the creation of Anioma State, proposed to be zoned to the South-East geopolitical zone.
The coalition made its position known on Monday during a solidarity rally in Asaba, where participants drawn from the nine local government areas that make up Anioma marched from Inter-Bua Roundabout to the Delta State Government House, chanting solidarity songs and displaying placards in support of the proposed state.
The rally included indigenes from Aniocha North, Aniocha South, Ika North-East, Ika South, Ndokwa East, Ndokwa West, Oshimili North, Oshimili South and Ukwuani, as well as representatives of the Igbanke people, who also expressed support for the initiative.
At the Government House, the coalition passed a vote of confidence in the Anioma State creation movement and submitted two letters to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, appealing for his support.
The letters, signed by spokesmen of the various communities, were presented to the governor through his Chief of Staff, Johnson Erijo.
Speaking on behalf of the coalition, Ofochi Benjamin Atagana, a lawyer from Ukwuani, alongside Kingsley Kainebi, Jude Ogbekile and Ayo Ashiedu, called on political leaders and stakeholders to support the creation of Anioma State in the South-East, reaffirming the Igbo identity of the Anioma and Igbanke people.
In a joint statement, the coalition said the Anioma people comprising Aniocha, Ndokwa, Ika and Oshimili are ancestrally, culturally and linguistically Igbo, and therefore seek to exercise their right to self-determination within the framework of the Nigerian Constitution and international law.
They stated that their decision was guided by Article 20(1) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, expressing confidence that their political, economic and socio-cultural interests would be better advanced within the South-East zone, where they share historical and cultural affinity.
The group noted that while they have coexisted peacefully with neighbouring ethnic groups including the Urhobo, Isoko, Ijaw and Itsekiri across different political eras, the time had come for Anioma to have a state of its own and reunite with its kith and kin in the South-East.
They further expressed optimism that the creation of Anioma State would not undermine regional harmony but rather promote cooperation and shared development between Anioma and Delta State as neighbouring entities.
Responding on behalf of Governor Oborevwori, Johnson Erijo assured the delegation that the state government remains open and attentive to the aspirations of the Anioma people.
He noted that the process of state creation is clearly defined by constitutional provisions and requires due process, including submissions to the National Assembly and the completion of other statutory procedures.
