Executive Assistant to Delta State Governor on Public Enlightenment and former Chief Press Secretary to ex-Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, Mr. Olisa Ifeajika, has reaffirmed that Senator Ifeanyi Okowa has consistently supported the creation of Anioma State, stressing that the former governor’s position has always been that any new state carved out of Delta should remain within the South-South geopolitical zone.
Speaking during an interview on Politics HQ on News Central Television, Ifeajika dismissed claims that Okowa opposed the agitation for Anioma State, explaining that the former governor’s reservations were limited to attempts by some proponents to align the proposed state with the South-East region.
According to him, Okowa has, throughout his political career, championed the interests of the Anioma people, including supporting legitimate efforts aimed at the creation of Anioma State.
He, however, argued that the current agitation is being driven by a group of individuals whose motives may not reflect the broader aspirations of the Anioma people, thereby undermining efforts to build widespread consensus around the proposal.
“Senator Okowa’s position has always been clear. He supports the creation of Anioma State, provided it remains in the South-South geopolitical zone, with Asaba as its capital. There has never been any ambiguity about that,” Ifeajika said.
He further maintained that the identity of Anioma people as Igbos is not dependent on the geopolitical zone in which they reside, noting that ethnic identity transcends state and regional boundaries.
According to him, the existence of Anioma people within Delta State and the South-South region does not diminish their Igbo heritage, just as members of other ethnic nationalities are spread across multiple states without losing their cultural identity.
Drawing parallels with the Ijaw ethnic group, Ifeajika noted that Ijaw communities exist in several states, including Ondo, Edo, Delta, Rivers and Bayelsa, yet remain united by their shared ancestry and culture.
The governor’s aide cautioned against politicising the state creation campaign, emphasizing that any successful agitation must be rooted in broad-based consultations and collective agreement among stakeholders, indigenous communities and government institutions.
He stressed that state creation cannot be imposed on a people, but must emerge from a clearly expressed consensus that reflects the wishes of the majority.
“It must be a people-driven process. The stakeholders and the people must first agree on what they want and how they want it structured. Once there is genuine consensus, support from government and other critical stakeholders will naturally follow,” he stated.
Ifeajika also rejected suggestions that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori is opposed to the creation of Anioma State, saying there is no evidence that the proponents of the current agitation have formally engaged the governor or sought the support of the state government.
He disclosed that he was unaware of any official communication, consultation or declaration conveying a collective position of the Anioma people to the governor regarding the renewed campaign.
“A governor should ordinarily be informed when a section of the state seeks to create a new state. To the best of my knowledge, those promoting this latest agitation have not formally briefed Governor Oborevwori.
“It is therefore unfair to suggest that the governor is opposed to a proposal on which he has neither been consulted nor officially informed,” Ifeajika said.
