A broad-based coalition of Anioma indigenes has renewed calls for the creation of Anioma State as the sixth state in Nigeria’s South East, declaring the long-cherished aspiration as overdue and critical to the political, economic and cultural advancement of the Anioma people.
Operating under the banner of the Coalition of Anioma People in Support of the Bill for Anioma State Creation, the group, drawn from the nine local government areas of Delta North Senatorial District, formally presented its position to the Delta State Government in December 2025.
The coalition comprises indigenes of Aniocha North, Aniocha South, Ika North East, Ika South, Ndokwa East, Ndokwa West, Oshimili North, Oshimili South and Ukwuani.
In a letter addressed to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, the coalition affirmed that the Anioma people are ancestrally, culturally and linguistically Igbo, and that their decision to support the proposed state creation is anchored on internationally recognised rights, including provisions of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
According to the group, excising Anioma from the present Delta State and the South South geopolitical zone will allow its people to fully realise and protect their collective interests within the South East, where they share deep historical and cultural affinity.
The coalition stressed that the proposed Anioma State would not undermine Delta State or strain inter-ethnic relations.
Rather, it expressed confidence that both Anioma State and Delta State would coexist peacefully as neighbours, cooperating productively and leveraging their respective comparative advantages for mutual development.
To demonstrate popular support for the cause, the pro–Anioma State creation movement embarked on a large-scale solidarity march from Inter-Bua to the Delta State Government House in Asaba.
Participants, drawn from across the nine Anioma local government areas, carried placards and banners underscoring the breadth of support for the initiative.
Some inscriptions read: “Anioma people are happy to unite with our Igbo brothers in the South East,” “Owa Alero supports the creation of Anioma State in the South East,” and “Anioma State is long overdue.”
Other placards highlighted solidarity beyond Delta North, with messages such as: “Igbanke, Iruo, Owa, Riuzo, Ute Ohaeze and all the Ika dialects in Edo State support Anioma State creation as the sixth South Eastern State, Anioma, Asaba Capital.”
The demonstrators maintained that zoning Anioma State to the South East is not contentious, insisting that the people have no reservations about being formally recognised as part of the geopolitical zone they ancestrally belong to.
Some protesters described the aspiration symbolically as a call to have “Anioma as the sixth Imo State.”
Central to the renewed momentum is the bill sponsored at the National Assembly by the Senator representing Delta North Senatorial District, Senator Ned Nwoko.
The coalition acknowledged Senator Nwoko’s legislative leadership on the matter, noting that the bill has attracted significant goodwill and support from lawmakers across party lines at the National Assembly, reflecting a growing national consensus on the legitimacy of the Anioma cause.
Speaking on behalf of the coalition, Ayo Ashiedu, President of the Anioma Movement for the Emancipation of Anioma Nation and President of the Anioma Pastors’ Forum, described Anioma State as fundamental to the identity, dignity and future of the people.
He said the creation of the state would correct historical anomalies, strengthen political inclusion and provide a platform for accelerated development anchored on shared culture and values.
The Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, was represented at the Government House by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Johnson Erijo, who received the coalition’s letter and solidarity delegation.
He warmly welcomed the Anioma delegation and commended their peaceful conduct and sense of ownership of the current administration.
Erijo noted that the governor was fully briefed about the visit and had directed him to receive the coalition on his behalf.
He said he listened carefully to the presentation and found nothing amiss in the group’s disposition or demands, describing their approach as mature, orderly and constructive.
He assured the delegation that their message had been clearly received, stressing that the Oborevwori administration remains open to engagement and dialogue with all segments of the state, and appreciates citizens who pursue their aspirations through peaceful and lawful means.
While the engagement was formally received on behalf of the governor, the coalition expressed optimism that the Delta State Government would lend its moral and political support to the bill at the national level.
Reaffirming their unity and resolve, the Anioma coalition called on stakeholders, traditional institutions, faith leaders and political actors to rally behind the initiative, insisting that the creation of Anioma State in the South East is not only just, but inevitable.
