By Mick Oseji, Asaba
Lawmakers from Delta North Senatorial District (Anioma) in the State House of Assembly and the elected Chairmen of the 9 local governments constituting the district on Sunday strongly and unanimously rejected the proposal for Anioma State in Southeast geopolitical zone.
These critical stakeholders of Anioma people and leaders noted that the dream for Anioma state where their unique cultural identity, language, and developmental aspirations could be fully realised, had been a constant pursuit for generations, stressing that they stand on the shoulders of those giant crusaders of the cause and reaffirm their vision for a state within the South South.
In a statement issued and signed at the end of their deliberation, they declared: “We hereby state, in the strongest possible terms, our unequivocal and total support for the creation of Anioma State comprising the present nine Local Government Areas of Delta North Senatorial District.”
They added Anioma people are historically, geographically, and administratively aligned with the South-South. This position is deeply rooted in our heritage and is non-negotiable
The statement read further: “We, the undersigned elected Honourable Members of the Delta State House of Assembly from the Delta North Senatorial District and the Executive Chairmen of the nine (9) Local Government Areas that constitute the District, having deliberated extensively on the renewed national discourse and legislative processes for the creation of new states in the Federal Republic of Nigeria, hereby issue this definitive statement of our collective position.
Our quest for a distinct and autonomous Anioma State is not a fleeting political venture but a legitimate aspiration deeply rooted in history, championed by our revered forebears and leaders. This dream for a state of our own, where our unique cultural identity, language, and developmental aspirations can be fully realized, has been a constant pursuit for generations. We stand on the shoulders of these giants and reaffirm their vision.
We hereby state, in the strongest possible terms, our unequivocal and total support for the creation of Anioma State comprising the present nine Local Government Areas of Delta North Senatorial District. We are united in the belief that the creation of Anioma State is a matter of justice, equity, and a necessary step towards fulfilling the political and developmental destiny of the Anioma people. We pledge our full political weight and mandate to actively lobby and support every legitimate effort towards the realization of this goal.
The Anioma our fathers envisaged and which we support is the Anioma that is made up of the 9 local government areas of Delta North with it’s capital in Asaba. For the avoidance of doubt, these local governments are:
A. Aniocha North
B. Aniocha South
C. Ika North-East
D. Ika South
E. Ndokwa East
F. Ndokwa West
G. Oshimili North
H. Oshimili South, and
I. Ukwuani.
Anioma is, and Must Remain, in the South-South.
While we are unwavering in our support for the creation of Anioma State, we make it unequivocally clear that we vehemently oppose any proposed move or merger with any part of the South-East geopolitical zone. The Anioma people are historically, geographically, and administratively aligned with the South-South. This position is deeply rooted in our heritage and is non-negotiable.”
