*Honourable Samuel Osi Okocha represented Aniocha North State Constituency at the Delta State House of Assembly in 2015 and is a Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress based in the Diaspora. He gave further insights into the Anioma State Creation Advocacy and reacted to recent developments on the topic.*
*Q. How would you assess the Anioma State Creation Project, the journey, process, and where it is today?*
First, I would like to refer to my previous comments on the Anioma State creation project a few months ago, where I made it very clear that the revival and renewal of this advocacy is one of the most commendable developments in the senatorial district. Senator Ned Nwoko must be commended for thinking about what many others didn’t consider and for the political will he is showing to get it done.
In all fairness, the creation of a state is a national affair that requires the buy-in of every part of the country. In fact, the process requires more external than internal input, and this underscores how cumbersome the process is. Again, Senator Ned Nwoko deserves commendation for the way he has managed the advocacy. First, for his admission that he was only beginning from where nationalists like Rt Hon Dennis Osadebay, Senator Nosike Ikpo, Obi Professor Chike Edozien CFR, and others had stopped over 50 years ago.
Also, the process has advanced towards the referendum stage and shows that there is a high level of political will towards creating the state.
*Q. Between when Senator Nwoko presented the Bill and today, there have been reactions on this matter, most support it, while others say the geopolitical zone is not ideal. What is your take on this?*
The debate about the geopolitical placement of Anioma State is unnecessary and, in my view, the way it is being dragged is obviously politically motivated by certain interests who fear losing relevance should the state be created.
The danger in it is that the unrestrained expressions by a minority over the geopolitical placement can create bad blood between the Anioma People and our brothers across the Niger.
Senator Ned Nwoko is not proposing anything new or strange by suggesting that the state should be created in the South-East, because back when the advocacy was initiated, it was also proposed to be assigned to the South-Eastern part of the country.
This follows common sense and logic because the people in that area, our people, or my people, have always been referred to and regarded as Igbos.
We were referred to as Western Igbos, Midwestern Igbos, Bendel Igbos, and now in Delta state, we are referred to as Delta Igbos.
By culture, geographical mapping, language considerations, and political correctness, it is only natural to add Anioma State to the South-East, and this ought not to be a subject of debate, except we want to deny our ancestry.
*Despite what you just said, the 9 Local Government Chairmen and House of Assembly Members from the Senatorial District rejected the idea of Adding The State To The South East. Doesn’t This Weaken The Advocacy?*
The 9 Local Government Chairmen and House of Assembly Members were in error to have sponsored that release because it was very insensitive, unpopular, unnecessary, and failed to address whatever critical issues were behind their standpoint. Is it not funny that those who signed the release all bear names and surnames identified as Igbo?
It looked very politically motivated, and from my structure back home, I have been reliably informed that it amounted to nothing.
Since Senator Ned Nwoko renewed this process last year, no sincere Anioma indigene can deny that it enjoys massive support across the country, and most especially within households domiciled in the proposed territory.
If there is any doubt, I will refer you to the Anioma State Creation Summit, which was held in 2024, where Royal Fathers, Community Leaders, and the political class were present.
The National Assembly has also held a Public Review, which drew the attendance of over 30 Pro-Anioma Advocacy groups who were mobilised through the Delta North Senatorial Constituency Office.
The National Assembly received the state creation proposal from other regions, but it recently gave its approval for only the South-East Geopolitical Zone, which is made up of the Igbos, to get a state, because of the obvious existing imbalance of having 5 states while others, including the South-South have 6 and the North West 7.
This means those arguing for the state to be in the South-South are simply saying that Anioma State should not be created, and this doesn’t represent the views and opinions of the vocal and silent majority of Anioma People. It is also an insult to the efforts of our heroes past who began the fight, and tries to disregard the efforts Senator Ned Nwoko have put in so far, which I can tell you has come at a huge personal cost to him.
Anioma People are 80% Igbos with a lifestyle that is easily traced to the Igbo race.
We admit that there are other tribes within our territory and we will continue to coexist. But it is not enough to say Anioma State should not be in the South-East.
States were created in the past and although it was done commando style, nevertheless, these states have remained for at least the past 30 years and Anioma State when created, will not be different.
*Q. The Lawmakers and LGA Chairmen are not the only ones who raised issues, the Asagba of Asaba stepped down from his role as Technical Committee Chairman of the State Creation Project and also expressed reservations. What do you make of these?.*
The Asagba of Asaba HRM Obi Prof Epiphany Azinge SAN remains very respected for his contributions to the development of education and the legal profession in Nigeria, as well as, for his status as one of the most prominent Royal Fathers in the country. It is not wrong to have a different opinion and express the same. I am not going to join issues with our father irrespective of his stance on this issue.
I think the best that can be done is to reassure the Asagba that Anioma State will not in any way make us vulnerable, because just like he said he wants an Anioma State for Anioma People, when created it will be run, administered and secured by Anioma People.
Edo State is being governed by an Edo Man, Kano State is being governed by a Kano man, Ebonyi State is being governed by an Ebonyi Man, and Anioma State will not be different.
The issue of the capital being taken away from Asaba can not be correct because from my experience as a legislator, when a bill is being pushed, discussions and interests will have their say but not necessarily have their way.
The bill before the National Assembly puts Asaba as the proposed capital for Anioma State, and as far as I know, nothing has changed it and nothing will.
*Q. Is There A Possibility That It Will Be Created Before 2027?*
I’m sure that if it were left to Senator Ned Nwoko and all those who support the creation of Anioma State, it would come before 2027. From the developments and level it has gotten to, there is enough reason to believe Anioma State creation can happen before the new political dispensation of 2027.
After the referendum which is the next step, we are left with the third reading, then final passage by both Houses, after which we would wait for the majority of the State Houses of Assembly to pass it, alongside other constitutional amendments, after which the President’s assent is expected.
Senator Ned Nwokonhas really pushed beyond normal political limits for it to have gotten to this state this quickly, but there are other political and conventional developments which are also important.
Hopefully, President Bola Tinubu GCFR will continue to communicate the political will that will get Anioma State created before 2027, and I also believe it will further solidify his chances of winning in 2027.
*Q. In some quarters, it is being argued that Senator Ned Nwoko is using the Anioma State creation advocacy as a means of deflecting his performance at the Senate, is there any correctness in this argument?*
I completely disagree, because such arguments have no bearing. The creation of a state is the job of the National Assembly, and the first step is to sponsor a bill to that effect. Bills, when worked on, become Acts of Parliament and a part of our laws. This is a Senator’s job, so it is just childish to accuse someone of using his job to distract you from assessing his job performance.
In the public domain, Senator Nwoko ranks among the top-performing Senators in the country, by way of the number of Bills, Motions and Oversight activities. Are these not the job of a senator? Are these not part of the yardstick for assessment? I think we should be able to recognise the activities of political hallelujah boys who are doing the bidding of their paymasters, and not give any ear to their expressions.
From what I have seen and can verify, Anioma State Advocacy is not Senator Ned Nwoko’s only project, especially considering he has the highest number of bills and has already secured the passage of some which await Presidential Assent.
I am a former legislator, and the main job of a legislator is to make and amend laws and carry out oversight. It is good to carry out empowerment programmes, but it is good laws and implementation that make society enjoyable.
Where I am based currently, no one really cares how sharing items as empowerment, just make good laws and carry out oversight, and your constituents will be okay.
*Q. From all that has been said, you are fully in support and passionate about the creation of Anioma State, is there a role you desire to play as the process advances?*
The state creation process is clear and direct and Senator Ned Nwoko is not doing badly at all.
From my base here, I am lending my voice through this medium and, there are other plans that I do not want to make public right now. But I have never stopped speaking in support of it. It is necessary, it is deserving and it is now.
In my previous comments on this, I called on all prominent Anioma sons and daughters at home and abroad to support this move because it is not about Senator Ned Nwoko, he is only privileged to lead it today. This is something we have been praying, fighting and hoping for, and we are very close today.
It doesn’t make sense to derail it without ensuring we pursue it to a logical conclusion and I plead, enjoin and advise the political class not to resist it.
The Executive Governor of Delta State Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori JP, the Deputy Governor Sir Monday Onyeme, Former Governor Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, Mr Speaker Rt Hon Emomotimi Guwor and the State House of Assembly have an opportunity to be on the good side of this historic struggle and I seize this medium to ask for their support in this project.
