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A renewed campaign for the creation of Anioma State has gathered momentum in recent weeks, emerging as one of the central issues in the ongoing national conversation about restructuring, constitutional reform, and Nigeria’s long-standing regional imbalances. The push is being championed by prominent figures in Delta North, most notably Senator Ned Nwoko, whose recent mobilisation has revived a demand that stretches back to the 1950s.
At the heart of the agitation is a familiar grievance: structural inequality in the federation. The South-East remains the only geopolitical zone with five states, while the other zones have six, and the North-West has seven. This numerical disadvantage shapes everything from federal allocations to legislative representation, limiting the region’s influence in national politics. Advocates argue that Anioma offers the most practical path to correcting that imbalance.
Their case rests on the historical and cultural identity of the people of Delta North, who have long been recognised as Igbo. Colonial records, including the Willink’s Commission Report of 1958, described the communities in the area as ethnically and linguistically tied to the larger Igbo nation. The only factor that separated them administratively from the old Eastern Region was the River Niger, a boundary critics describe as arbitrary and unreflective of local identity.
The current moment, supporters say, offers a rare alignment of political opportunity and historical urgency. With national lawmakers considering broad constitutional amendments, including proposals for state creation, many believe this is the most realistic window in decades to resolve what they view as a glaring oversight in Nigeria’s federal structure.
Beyond its political rationale, Anioma’s proponents emphasise the region’s economic readiness. They describe a state that does not need to be imagined on paper, one with established institutions and a capital that already functions at full capacity. Asaba, presently the capital of Delta State, hosts an international airport, a government secretariat, universities, industries, hotels, and a growing entertainment and services economy. Much of the administrative architecture required for a new state is already in place, a factor supporters say will spare the federal government the immense cost of building from scratch.
The region’s economic profile further strengthens its argument. Anioma sits on a strategic corridor that links the South-East and the South-South, with road and rail routes that carry both commercial and industrial traffic. It is home to proven oil and gas deposits, extensive farmland, and one of the most educated populations in the Delta region. These assets, advocates say, make Anioma one of the most viable candidates for statehood in the current restructuring debate.
Its supporters also frame the agitation as part of a broader search for justice, a chance to address historical wounds inflicted during the civil war. The Asaba Massacre of 1967, in which hundreds of men and boys were executed, remains a raw memory among many families. There has been no formal restitution or government-backed memorial for the victims. For campaigners, a new state would bring governance closer to the communities that suffered, allowing for targeted reconstruction, dedicated remembrance projects, and a renewed sense of belonging for those who have long felt caught between regional classifications.
Read also: President Tinubu Supports Creation Of Anioma State – Ned Nwoko
The political implications are just as significant. A sixth state in the South-East would expand the region’s representation in the National Assembly and create new ministries, agencies, and public-sector roles that have historically been out of reach for Delta Igbos. The creation of Anioma, supporters argue, would strengthen the Igbo voice nationally and reinforce cultural ties with Igbo communities currently dispersed across several states in the South-South and North-Central regions.
Within Anioma, Senator Nwoko’s leadership has drawn broad praise. Community leaders, traditional institutions, and diaspora groups have rallied behind him, viewing his efforts as a revival of a long-shelved aspiration. While political resistance exists, it is described largely as the work of individuals who benefit from the current arrangement rather than a reflection of community sentiment.
The proposed state would include the nine local government areas that make up Delta North Senatorial District: Aniocha North, Aniocha South, Oshimili North, Oshimili South, Ika North-East, Ika South, Ndokwa East, Ndokwa West, and Ukwuani. These areas share language, customs, and historical ties, forming a cultural bloc that supporters believe is both coherent and administratively ready for statehood.
Advocates are now looking to the Federal Government and the National Assembly for decisive action. They want accelerated public hearings, a clear process for community consultations, and the inclusion of Anioma among the states being reviewed under the constitutional amendment process.
