The Senator representing Delta North in the National Assembly, Hon. Ned Nwoko has proposed a bill for the creation of Anioma State.
The bill which was presented before lawmakers at the 10th National Assembly is meant to balance representation in the South East.
The Senator said, the creation of Anioma state was both urgent and compelling.
Nwoko said the proposal addresses the longstanding 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 East having only 15 lawmakers compared to the 18 lawmakers of other zones in the senate.”.
He said the inequity affects legislative representation and the distribution of national resources, perpetuating a longstanding injustice, hence the need to propose the bill for Anima State.
“I am presenting a bill for the creation of Anioma state to correct this historical oversight. Anioma is composed of nine local government areas, six of which are rich in oil and gas resources”.
The region, he said also boasts significant human capital, making it a viable and sustainable candidate for statehood, adding that creating Anioma state is not just about increasing the number of states; it is about ensuring fair representation and resource allocation for the South East.
He said, the call for Anioma state has widespread support from various stakeholders. The Anioma socio-cultural group, Izu Anioma, and the Pan Igbo cultural organization, Ohanaeze Indi Igbo, have both been vocal in their advocacy for this cause.
He added that the political class in Anioma, including traditional rulers led by the late Asagba of Asaba, Obi (Prof) Chike Edozien, have also consistently supported the creation of Anioma state. They have held numerous meetings, including discussions with former President Olusegun Obasanjo, to voice their consensus.
The creation of Anioma state is a crucial step towards achieving justice and equity for the South East. With the majority of stakeholders in agreement, it is time to act and bring Anioma state into existence, correct the past imbalances and ensure fair representation in national affairs, he said.
