'Anioma State': Leaders Reject Senator Nwoko’s Bill, Says Oshimili, Anioma Part of Benin, Delta Provinces

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By Reporter

Njiko Anioma—Oshimili, the mouthpiece of Aniocha and Oshimili people of Delta State has rejected the proposed bill Senator Ned Nwoko for the creation of Anioma State and its regional affiliation with South East.

The leaders and stakeholders from the Aniocha and Oshimili areas rejected the proposal, as they described the idea as “a distortion of history and a betrayal of Anioma’s distinct identity.”

Their rejection is contained in a communiqué signed by the leader, Dr. Okey Okonta, issued on the proposed Anioma State which ceded the proposed state to be part of Eastern Nigeria. In their rejection, the group explained, that they are part of Benin and Delta Province.

”We, the Aniocha and Oshimili people, speak out unequivocally against Senator Ned Nwoko’s bill proposing Anioma State as the sixth state in the South East geopolitical zone.

“This stance betrays Anioma’s distinct identity, historical trajectory, and the vision of our past leaders like Senator (Obi) Nosike Ikpo, who represented Bendel East in the Nigerian Senate, and His Excellency Rt. Hon. Dennis Osadebey, the first Premier of the Midwest Region, Nigeria amongst others—who championed Anioma statehood before now.

“Anioma’s administrative history never aligned with the South East. Our territories were part of Benin and Delta Provinces, evolving into the Midwest/Bendel, now Edo and Delta states—solidifying our ties to the South South.

They accused Senator Senator Nwoko move as “historical fallacy”, as he had ignored the 1989 resolution of Anioma Royal Fathers. “Anioma is Anioma; Anioma is not Igbo. We are a syncretic culture area with diverse origins: Bini, Igara, Yoruba, Igbo – forming a distinct pathway. Not all Anioma people speak Igbo as their native tongue, underscoring our heterogeneity.” The group said.

“The Asagba of Asaba, Professor Epiphany Azinge an erudite scholar and legal luminary par excellence, alongside the leadership of Offac, Onu Ika, Ndokwa and other sub national groups, counselled against lumping Anioma into the South East – advice unheeded.

“This disregard denigrates the original concept of Anioma statehood championed by our leaders, predicated on sustaining Anioma’s independent identity within the South South.

“We reject this attempt as a form of modern slavery, where a minority group wields power to subsume our distinct people. During the Nigerian Civil War, Anioma faced marginalisation from the South East despite our people’s contributions – a history that should caution against repetition. General Lucky Irabor, a proud Anioma son not of Igbo extraction, exemplifies our diversity.

“This move by Senator Ned Nwoko appears driven by South Eastern desires for increased population and landmass to amplify their national voice – a self-serving agenda disregarding Anioma’s prosperity.They want your money, not your prosperity. Anioma people will not be articles for appeasing the South East—”Onye awanyena, oha ka oha.

“We urge unity with like-minded groups in Ika and Ndokwa to reject this gambit. We demand a referendum on Anioma State’s regional grouping if need be. We write to the Presidency and the National Assembly expressing our people’s resolute position: Anioma belongs to the South South geopolitical zone, honouring our history, culture, and administrative antecedents.

“Anioma is Anioma. We will not be auctioned for political ambition. We call on all Anioma sons and daughters to stand firm against this affront, defending our distinct identity and rightful regional affiliation.” The pan-cultural group said, while emphatically opposing the move by Nwoko to create Anioma State as part of Eastern Nigeria.