Delta North monarchs, stakeholders caution against politicisation of Anioma state creation

…Warn against early endorsement of aspirants ahead 2027 elections

Traditional Rulers and key stakeholders in Delta North Senatorial District have cautioned political actors in the District against actions capable of jeopardising the process of Anioma State Creation.

This also warned against premature endorsements of aspirants ahead of the 2027 general elections just as they planned to resolve the differences between former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and Ned Nwoko, a serving Senator at the National Assembly.

Nwoko, the incumbent senator is for the Creation of Anioma State while Okowa is against the project and the duo are already campaigning to contest the Delta North Senatorial seat in the National Assembly Election come 2027.

The stakeholders while reaffirming their support for the creation of Anioma State, called for unity among political leader and warned against divisive politics capable of derailing the long-standing agitation.

At the maiden meeting of the Technical Committee on the Creation of Anioma State, held at the Palace of the Obuzor of Ibusa in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State, weekend, the stakeholders harped on the need to refocus efforts on achieving the objective of statehood, insisting that partisan interests must not be allowed to frustrate the constitutional process already underway.

HRM Louis Nwaoboshi, Obuzor (King) of Ibusa and the Chairman of the Technical Committee and Obuzor (King) of Ibusa, said the agitation for Anioma State dated back to 1980 and had been sustained by successive generations of stakeholders whenever opportunities arose.

“In 2025, Senator Ned Nwoko, representing Delta North in the Senate, took advantage of the opportunity by sponsoring a bill seeking the creation of Anioma State with headquarters in Asaba.

“This is a constitutional process which we, the technical committee are objectively piloting to fruition. A commendable achievement has already been recorded, but the obnoxious politics being exhibited by some of our sons and daughters is worrisome.

“Politicising the State creation movement under our watch is unacceptable and must be condemned. The focus of all stakeholders should shift from partisan politics to our age-long dream of our own state, Anioma”, the monarch noted.

Nwaoboshi said the demand predated current political debates and traced back to historical injustices, dating to 1939, adding that Anioma people were grouped with Benin despite their distinct identity east of the River Niger following the Ekumeku War.

While noting that Anioma represents a collective identity rather than a platform for division, he disclosed that broader consultations would soon be convened to strengthen a united front.

He warned that history would judge harshly any individual or group working against the creation of Anioma State.

They maintained that as fathers of all, traditional rulers would remain non-partisan and committed only to the collective interest of Anioma people.

HRM Henry Kachikwu, the Obi of Ubulu-Uno, who is also the 2nd Vice Chairman of the Delta State Traditional Rulers Council, shed light on recent consultations with National Assembly leaders in Abuja.

He said initial uncertainties, including remarks attributed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, were clarified during engagements with federal lawmakers.

Kikachukwu disclosed that Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, advised proponents of the state creation to deepen consultations across the region.

He stressed that the agitation was strictly for the creation of a full-fledged Anioma State and not for a separate geopolitical zone, dismissing claims of any proposed capital outside Asaba as propaganda.

According to him, Asaba’s historical role as headquarters of the Royal Niger Company further strengthens its position as the proposed state capital.

He expressed optimism following assurances from key national leaders, including the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, that the demand was receiving attention at the highest levels.

Kingsley Ojei, the National President of Izu Anioma, described the creation of Anioma State as the most pressing demand of the people.

He recalled that during the 2014/2015 political season, Anioma leaders pursued two major goals — producing a governor from Delta North and securing the creation of Anioma State.

“Thank God, in 2015, we achieved the first. What remains is the creation of Anioma State. In the last two years, the agitation has gained renewed momentum, and we believe that once Anioma State is realized, every other aspiration of our people will fall into place,” he said.