Anioma State: Time to remedy regional political, infrastructure disparities

By Deborah Coker,

State creation and clamour for new states are not new in Nigeria. Many believe that state creation is an instrument for fast tracking and promoting development across the country.

Many also believe that creation of new states facilitates the resolution of boundary disputes and promote economic, infrastructure and social growth.

Little wonder, therefore, that very recently the clamour for state creation had taken a new and heightened dimension with various calls by lawmakers in the 10th National Assembly.

The legislators reason that securing new states for their constituencies will be a landmark in their representation and endear them to their constituents. It is a worthy cause for their people.

Faced with impending civil war but determined to keep Nigeria united, Gen. Yakubu Gowon on May 5, 1967 divided Nigeria into 12 states, namely Kano State and Northwest.

Others are Northeast, North Central, Kwara, Western and Midwestern and Benue-Pateau Rivers, East Central, Southeast and Lagos State.

In 1976, seven new states were created, by the late Gen. Murtala Mohammed, bringing the number of states in Nigeria to 19 from the earlier 12.

Again On Aug. 27, 1991, former President Ibrahim Babangida created nine more states: Abia, Enugu, Delta, Jigawa, Kebbi, Osun, Kogi, Taraba, and Yobe.

In 1993 however, the late Gen. Sani Abacha came into power, and the agitations for state creation seemed to have doubled.

On October 1, 1996 Gen. Sani Abacha, now late, created six more states: Ebonyi, Bayelsa, Nasarawa, Zamfara, Gombe and Ekiti states totalling present day 36.

In the 10th National Assembly the agitation for state creation is on once again. One and the foremost lawmaker to champion this cause in the 10th National Assembly is Sen. Ned Nwoko.

In June Nwoko proposed the creation of Anioma State to balance the representation from the South East Geopolitical Zone.

Nwoko had in his motion which passed the second reading in the Senate explained that the creation of an Anioma State would address the long standing imbalance in the geopolitical distribution of states in Nigeria.

According to him, the South East geopolitical zone currently has five states, unlike its counterparts except for the North West, which has seven states.

“This disparity results in an imbalance of representation and resources, with the South South having only 15 lawmakers, compared with the 18 lawmakers of other zones in the senate.

“This inequality affects legislative representation and the distribution of national resources, perpetuating a long-standing injustice.”

Nwoko had also said the current political landscape was undulating negatively to the disadvantage of the South Eastern Zone, in terms of number of states, representations and voting strength at the National Assembly.

“For instance, while other regions have at least six states, their eastern counterpart has only five.

And, whereas the other regions are represented by a minimum of 18 senators, the south has only 15 which also translate to fewer votes cast at plenary on any issue.

“But with the passage of this bill, this numerical injustice will be cured and the cause of equity and justice served.

“Time without number, the leaderships of the pan Igbo cultural organisation, Ohaneze Ndi Igbo and the Anioma Socio-Cultural groups have at various fora voiced their consensus support for the creation of Anioma State.

“This will be the sixth state of the eastern zone and rightly so; I whole heartedly concur too,” he said.

However while it is believed that state creation was necessary for the purposes of equity, balance and rapid development, the economic development angle seemed to be overlooked.

On the Anioma State creation, traditional rulers, community leaders, political leaders, civil society organisations and other stakeholders have learnt their voices to the cause.

According to them, creating an Anioma State would drive progress and development in the region.

The stakeholders also want President Bola Tinubu to give quick assent to Nwoko’s Proposed Bill if and when it scales through the legislative processes.

According to them, it should be used to pacify the Anioma people following their “aged-long oppression, marginalisation and neglect by successive governments.

In a communique from a recent summit in Delta, the stakeholders said the Anioma State creation request was one of the oldest in the political history of Nigeria.

“We note that the Anioma state creation request stands as the oldest agitation in the political history of Nigeria.

That we express the deepest conviction that the creation of Anioma state will provide the much needed vista of healing and restitution for Anioma people, years after the 1967 Asaba genocide.”

Prince Fred Mordi, a Chartered Accountant, sharing his view on the issue said that the creation of Anioma State is not merely a matter of administrative convenience, but an essential step toward unlocking the potential of a region brimming with promise.

“It is a path to equity, progress, and prosperity for the Anioma people and a contribution to the broader Nigerian project of balanced development.

“The call for the creation of Anioma State resonates deeply with the aspirations of a people whose unique identity, rich history, and untapped potential have long been overshadowed.

“This quest is not just a demand for recognition; it is a pursuit of justice, self-determination, and equitable development.

“Anioma, as a distinct ethnic group within Delta State, Nigeria, has consistently demonstrated its cultural vibrancy, economic contributions, and commitment to the state’s progress.

“Yet, decades of marginalisation have left our region grappling with persistent underdevelopment manifested in poor infrastructure, limited access to quality education and healthcare, and inadequate political representation.

“The creation of Anioma State is not only a solution to these challenges but also a long-overdue acknowledgment of our rightful place in the Nigerian federation,” he said.

Meanwhile Dr Tonye Timi, a former member of Delta House of Assembly has said that lobbying critical stakeholders for “Doctrine of Necessity” to actualise the creation of Anioma State would not be out of place.

Timi said like most citizens from this area he shared the same view that creating it was necessary.

‘’Where the controversy exists is whether the state should be part of the south eastern part of the country or not’’, he said

Timi, who represented Patani constituency in Delta between 2015 and 2019, said the agitation for the new state should be supported by justice-loving members of the national Assembly.

Stakeholders hold that creating Anioma State would be a balm to years of neglect and disparities endured by the people of the area over the years. (NANFeatures)