In a joint press release titled “Anioma State Creation: Delta North Legislators and Local Government Chairmen Reject Proposal for Anioma State in South-East; Reaffirm Commitment to South-South Geopolitical Zone” lawmakers from Delta North Senatorial District and the nine local government chairmen have rejected any plan to merge Anioma with the South-East geopolitical zone, reaffirming that the proposed Anioma State belongs in the South-South.
The group described the push for Anioma State as more than “a fleeting political venture,” but a rightful aspiration “deeply rooted in history, championed by our revered forebears and leaders.” They stated 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.”
The nine local governments to form Anioma State, they reaffirmed, are: Aniocha North, Aniocha South, Ika North-East, Ika South, Ndokwa East, Ndokwa West, Oshimili North, Oshimili South, and Ukwuani — with Asaba envisaged as the capital.
While expressing full support for the creation of Anioma State, the leaders made their opposition to any realignment toward the South-East unambiguously clear: “Anioma is, and must remain in the South-South geopolitical zone.”
They argued the Anioma people are historically, geographically and administratively aligned with the South-South, and any suggestion of moving them into the South-East would run counter to their heritage and identity.
The joint statement, signed by all members of the Delta State House of Assembly from Delta North and the chairmen of the nine local governments, also pledged to “actively lobby and support every legitimate effort towards the realisation” of Anioma State.
