Former Delta State governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, has firmly rejected the proposal by Senator Ned Nwoko on the creation of Anioma State, accusing him of pushing a misleading agenda that could align the region with the South-East geopolitical zone.
Okowa, who spoke during a meeting with stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oshimili South Local Government Area, said the position canvassed by Nwoko does not reflect the wishes of the people of Delta North.
He stressed that while Anioma people support the creation of a new state, they categorically reject any attempt to take the proposed state out of the South-South zone.
There have been serious misrepresentations about Anioma State, Okowa said. The people are not against its creation, but the Anioma we want must remain in the South-South geopolitical zone, made up of the nine local government areas, with Asaba as its capital.
The former governor also dismissed suggestions that the status of Asaba could be altered, warning that any attempt to undermine its position as headquarters of the proposed state would be unacceptable.
All the struggles that brought Asaba to where it is today cannot be wished away. The city is expanding rapidly, and nothing will stop its growth, he added.
In a direct rebuke of Nwoko’s approach, Okowa criticised what he described as a one-man campaign lacking proper consultation with stakeholders, insisting that such a sensitive issue must be driven by collective consensus.
You cannot pursue something of this magnitude without engaging your people. When you assume you know it all, you are bound to go the wrong way, he said.
Okowa further rejected the timing of the agitation, suggesting that it could mislead the public given the current stage of legislative processes on state creation.
Who is even talking about state creation now? This is not the time. It is wrong to create confusion or deceive the people, he stated.
Reaffirming his position, Okowa maintained that any future push for Anioma State must be based on unity, transparency, and the clearly expressed will of the people.
The Anioma State we desire will come through collective agreement. It will not be imposed or driven by personal ambition, he said.
His comments underscore growing political tension in Delta North ahead of the 2027 elections, where both leaders are expected to play significant roles.
