Anioma State Creation: Lawmakers Clash Over Proposed Capital and Geopolitical Alignment

Disagreements have emerged among federal lawmakers regarding the proposed Anioma State, with conflicting views on its capital location and whether it should belong to the South-South or South-East zone.

Sen. Ned Nwoko 

​The agitation for the creation of Anioma State has reached a critical crossroad as federal lawmakers express sharp divisions over the details of the new state's structure. While there is a general consensus on the necessity of the state to address long-standing demands for equity, the choice of the state capital and its geopolitical home has become a major point of contention.

​At the center of the debate are Senator Ned Nwoko and Representative Ikenga Ugochinyere, who hold opposing views on how the state should be integrated into Nigeria's map. Recently, Senate President Godswill Akpabio assured supporters that the National Assembly is committed to the project, stating, 'Anioma state will be created, with Asaba as its capital'. Under this proposal, Asaba would serve as the seat of government for Anioma, while Warri would be designated as the new capital of Delta State.

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​However, some lawmakers from the South-East region are proposing a different path. Ikenga Ugochinyere has suggested that for the new state to truly address the South-East's demand for an additional state to balance the federation, its capital and political alignment should be centered within that region. He argued, 'If Anioma will agree to join us across the Niger and unite under Anim State... the state capital and location must be in the South-East'.

​This proposal has met stiff resistance from Delta North lawmakers and local government chairmen. In a joint statement, these leaders rejected any move to merge Anioma with the South-East, insisting it must remain in the South-South geopolitical zone where it is 'historically and administratively located'. They reiterated that their quest is for an autonomous Anioma State carved strictly from the nine local government areas in Delta North, with Asaba remaining as the non-negotiable capital.

​As the National Assembly Joint Committee on Constitution Review continues its work, the "Anioma Question" remains one of the most complex issues on the table. Whether the state will serve as a bridge between the South-South and South-East or remain a distinct entity in its current zone is a decision that will shape the political landscape of the Niger Delta for decades to home.

​Source: Punch