Agboje Chuks
Asaba, Delta State—The Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has expressed support for the long-standing agitation for the creation of Anioma State, emphasizing that the state government was not opposed to the request, provided it follows the laid-down constitutional procedures.
The Governor’s position was conveyed today, Monday, December 15, 2025, by his Chief of Staff, Prince Johnson Erijo, while addressing a large group of Anioma youths who staged a peaceful protest at Government House, Asaba, to renew their call for the new state, advocating for its inclusion in the South-East geopolitical zone.
Addressing the demonstrators at the Government House gate, Prince Erijo assured them that the Oborevwori administration “harboured no opposition to the legitimate aspirations of the Anioma people.”
He stressed the government’s firm commitment to democratic choice, the rule of law, and the expressed will of the people.
Prince Erijo confirmed that Governor Oborevwori had been fully briefed on the protest and had directed him to engage the group directly.
He noted that the agitation for Anioma State was “neither misplaced nor improperly articulated and deserved sincere consideration.”
The Chief of Staff reiterated the importance of unity among the Anioma people, urging that a common and clearly defined position would strengthen the agitation and eliminate conflicting opinions.
“If the people are in agreement as to the Anioma they desire, there should be no room for dissenting voices,” he stated.
Prince Erijo outlined that state creation was clearly defined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, noting that the process involves the submission of petitions and memoranda to the National Assembly, followed by legislative consideration and the conduct of a referendum.
He clarified that such a referendum would cover all Anioma-speaking local government areas, including Aniocha North and South, Oshimili North and South, Ika North East and Ika South, Ndokwa West and Ndokwa East, as well as interested enclaves like Igbanke in Edo State.
“Once a referendum is conducted and the majority of the people express their desire for Anioma State, their decision would be respected,” he assured the youths.
He affirmed that Governor Oborevwori would support any outcome that reflected the majority will of the people through lawful means.
Earlier, the youths, protesting under a coalition banner and drawn from the nine local government areas of Delta North, reaffirmed their demand for Anioma State and its zoning to the South-East
They declared that ancestrally, culturally, and linguistically, they were Igbo people, stressing that their identity could “no longer be denied or downplayed.
Speaking through their leaders, including Ofochi Atagana for Ukwuani youths, Ayo Ashiedu for Aniocha North, Kingsley Kainebi for Ika North East, and Chief Jude Ogbekile for the Igbanke community, Amb Ushi Israel, Youth Representative technical committee of Anioma State Creation, the protesters appealed to the Delta State Government for political and moral support.
They noted that while state creation follows constitutional procedures, governors play a vital role in advancing such causes.
The youths described the creation of Anioma State as a win-win arrangement, proposing that Asaba would naturally become the capital of the new state, allowing Delta State to designate a new capital elsewhere.
They called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Assembly to support the bill for Anioma State, reaffirming their resolve to be reunited with their kith and kin across the Niger.
