Barr. Nwakina Cletus
As the 2027 elections draw near, Senator Ned Nwoko has initiated a political gimmick: the promise of creating Anioma State for the people of Delta North. Nwoko claims to have
sponsored a bill in the Senate and insists that his re-election for a second term is the only pathway to making this dream a reality. However, closer inspection reveals that this is nothing more than a calculated ploy to deceive the people, exploit their emotions, and secure
another four years in office. Let’s expose the facts behind this deceptive promise.
STATE CREATION IS NOT A ONE-MAN JOB
It is crucial to clarify that the creation of a new state in Nigeria is a complex and difficult process, as outlined in Section 8(1) of the 1999 Constitution. No single senator, no matter how influential, can unilaterally create a state. The constitutional process requires:
● A Formal Request Backed by the People – The demand for a new state must come from the people, supported by a referendum where at least two-thirds of the population in the affected area must vote in favour.
● Approval by State Assemblies – At least two-thirds of the 36 State Houses of
Assembly in Nigeria must approve the request.
● Approval by the National Assembly – The request must be passed by a two-thirds majority in both the Senate and House of Representatives.
● Presidential Assent – Finally, the President of Nigeria must sign the bill into law.
Additionally, the Constitution specifies that:
“An Act of the National Assembly for the purpose of creating a new State shall only be passed
if:
(a) A request, supported by at least two-thirds majority of members (representing the area demanding the creation of the new State) in each of the following, namely –
(i) The Senate and the House of Representatives,
(ii) The House of Assembly in respect of the area, and
(iii) The local government councils in respect of the area”
This is not a process that one senator can single-handedly influence, and Ned Nwoko has failed to follow the preliminary procedures leading to any of these constitutional steps. Instead, he has presented a map of his own making, with no consultation with the people, stakeholders, or the presidency. How can he possibly create a state without the consent of those it will affect?
Furthermore, as a result of the rigorous and sensitive nature of state creation in Nigeria, no civilian or democratically elected president has ever created a state or even initiated the discussion on the creation of a new state. The current President of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, has
not shown any intention to create an additional state in the country.
The creation of a new state cannot occur without the clear will and intention of the President and Commander-in-Chief.
Therefore, no senator, no matter how influential, has the power to create a state.
A POLITICAL STRATEGY TO DECEIVE THE PEOPLE
Nwoko’s sudden push for Anioma State is nothing but a political calculation to manipulate the people of Delta North into voting for him again. If he were truly committed to state creation, he would have engaged with the key stakeholders before taking any step:
● Traditional rulers, community leaders, and local stakeholders who will be directly affected by the creation of a new state.
● Lawmakers from Delta Central and Delta South, whose constituencies would also
be impacted by the creation of Anioma State.
● The executive arm of government, particularly the President of Nigeria, whose
consent and assent is necessary for any state creation to occur.
However, Nwoko has neglected to engage with these critical parties. Instead, he resorts to empty promises and propaganda in an attempt to sway voters and keep himself in power.
THE TRUTH ABOUT ANIOMA STATE CREATION
While the desire for Anioma State is understandable, it cannot and will not be achieved through political manipulation or baseless promises.
The process requires national consensus, extensive political lobbying, and the backing of the Presidency. Without these, Nwoko’s bill is essentially dead on arrival.
THE POLITICAL INJUSTICE: THE NEED FOR A FAIR ROTATION
There is another crucial point that Senator Nwoko is conveniently ignoring in his quest for re- election: the issue of political fairness and rotation within Delta North. Nwoko hails from the Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency and will complete his first four-year tenure by May
2027.
However, if we examine the historical context of Delta North’s representation in the Senate since the advent of the present democratic enterprise, it becomes clear that the people of Ika Federal Constituency have been shortchanged.
● Barrister Peter Nwaoboshi, from the same Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency as Nwoko, served in the Senate from 2015 to 2023, in two consecutive terms of 8
years.
● Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, who is of Ika Federal Constituency, served from 2011 to 2015
in a single term of four years.
● Before Dr. Okowa, Hon. Patrick Osakwe of the Ndokwa/Ukwuani Federal Constituency represented Delta North in the Senate from 1999 to 2011 in a three consecutive terms of 12 years.
Thus, while the Aniocha/Oshimili constituency (Nwoko and Nwaoboshi) will have accumulated a total of 12 years of Senate representation, Ika Federal Constituency (Okowa) has only had 4 years.
This creates a clear imbalance. For true political justice and fairness, it is imperative that the next senator from Delta North, after Nwoko’s tenure in 2027, comes from Ika Federal Constituency, and in fact to complete the 12-year rotation enjoyed by the two other constituencies.
Ned Nwoko, knowing this fact, is strategically using the promise of Anioma State to divert attention from this political reality.
He is aware that if the issue of fair rotation is fully discussed and followed, he will not be re-elected. Thus, he seeks to manipulate the people of Delta North to vote for him again, which would result in Aniocha/Oshimili having 16 years of representation in the Senate, while Ika Federal Constituency will remain stuck with just 4 years.
This would be an undeniable injustice to Ika nation, which has already been denied its fair share of political representation.
THE DESPERATE MOVE: NWOKO’S DEFECTION TO APC
In a shocking and desperate move, just a few days ago, Ned Nwoko defected from his original party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), to join the All Progressives Congress (APC).
This sudden party switch is driven purely by his selfish desire to secure a second term in office.
Nwoko knows full well that PDP, which is fully aware of the facts and historical
imbalances regarding political rotation, would not want to reward his ambition for a second term if it means short-changing the people of Ika Federal Constituency.
By defecting to the APC, the same party he vigorously opposed during his election to the Senate, Nwoko has shown his true character—a man so desperate for power that he will abandon his party, his principles, and his mandate for personal gain.
This is a clear demonstration of his political selfishness and lack of commitment to the people who entrusted him with their votes.
DELTA NORTH MUST REJECT THIS DECEPTION
The people of Delta North must wake up and see through this ploy. Nwoko does not have the power to create Anioma State, even if he wins a second term. His promise is not only a distraction but an insult to the intelligence of the people. It is a desperate attempt to cling to power while failing to deliver any tangible achievements in his first term.
Instead of chasing after empty promises, the people of Delta North should focus on electing leaders who will bring real development, economic progress, and job opportunities—leaders who are not simply seeking personal gain but are committed to the welfare of the people.
CONCLUSION
The creation of Anioma State is not within the power of any one senator. It is a constitutional matter that requires the will of the people, approval from state assemblies, a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly, and the assent of the President of Nigeria. Ned Nwoko’s
bill will not change that.
Furthermore, the issue of political fairness and rotation in Delta North must not be ignored.
The people of Ika Federal Constituency are owed their fair share of Senate representation.
A second term for Nwoko would perpetuate an unfair 16-year hold on Senate representation by Aniocha/Oshimili, while Ika is left behind.
It is time for the people of Delta North to reject this deception.
We must demand true representation, not empty promises. The future of Delta North should be determined by what
is right, not by political manipulation.
