Igbo youths under the aegis of Ohaneze Youth Council (OYC) has called for the creation of Anioma State for the purpose of equity and justice, saying South East is the only region with five states, while the rest have at least six.
They said this is in support of a Bill presented before the Senate by Sen. Ned Nwoko representing Delta North, calling for Anioma state to be created to make South East have at least six states.
The National President of OYC, Comrade Igboayaka O. Igboayaka in a statement jointly signed by the Secretary General, Comrade Ifeanyichukwu Cedric Nweke, the council opposed the creation of Orlu and Etiti state, noting that Anioma should instead be created.
“Among the proponents of creation of an additional State in southeast, like the proposed Orlu State which comprised Orlu zone, parts of Anambra and Abia States, and the proposed Etiti State comprising parts of Imo, Ebonyi, Enugu, Abia, and Anambra States, only those favouring, in championship, the creation of Anioma State wear the sacred garbs of selflessness, equity and fairness.
“Besides, it’s obvious that part of ethno-political crisis in Nigeria is as a result of ceding some micro ethnic groups to a large ethnic groups in one State. Therefore the creation of Anioma State, considering its geograph, dynamics of socio-political behaviours in the area as well as ethno-cultural topology thereof, is a blue print and anti-dote that will settle ethnic crisis in Edo and Delta States”, the group stated.
It’s reasonable, logical and a peaceful political dovetail and/or marriage to cede parts of Ndoni people in Rivers State that link to Ukwuani axis of Delta State and the following communities in Edo State such as Idumodin, Ottah, Ute – Oheze, Ugo, Igbanke, Iru egbede, Evbobanosa, Oza, Ogan, Oheze, Idumiru and others including the whole Delta North senatorial district to form the new State called Anioma State.
It added, “The Council is aware that the creation of the six (6) geo-political zones in Nigeria were not entirely carved out on the considerations based on their geographic locations but rather on the States with similarity of ethnic groups and/or common political history at play in the same zone. Therefore it falls within the principle of geo-political creation in Nigeria that the proposed component of Anioma State has the same ethnic groups and same political history, consciousness and/or we-feelings with other States in the southeast.
“The birth of Anioma State to the southeast family will build zonal equity as same would go a long way to address the deplorable issues of marginalization of southeast zone.”