PROPOSED ANIOMA STATE: NED NWOKO IS MISLEADING OUR PEOPLE AND ACTING IMPROPERLY, SAYS OKOWA
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By:Tajudeen Aminat
Former Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, has accused Senator Ned Nwoko of misleading the public regarding the proposed creation of Anioma State.
He also questioned the timing of the discussions, noting that the current legislative schedule makes such proposals unlikely to succeed.
Okowa cautioned that pushing the issue now could misinform the public, emphasizing that any decision on Anioma State would require broad consensus between the people and the government.
Ifeanyi Okowa made the statement while speaking to APC stakeholders in Oshimili South Local Government Area at a meeting tied to his senatorial bid.
A video of the event was shared on Facebook on Wednesday by Osaai Ovie Success, Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Delta State governor.
Okowa rejected claims that he is against the creation of Anioma State, maintaining that no indigene of the region opposes the proposal.
He, however, emphasized that any new state must reflect the collective will of the people.
According to him, the Anioma State being proposed should consist of the nine local government areas in Delta North, located within the South-South geopolitical zone, with Asaba as the capital.
Okowa also criticised attempts to change Asaba’s status as the Delta State capital, warning that such efforts are misguided and overlook the historical processes that led to its establishment.
He said he had deliberately avoided speaking publicly on the Anioma State issue until now, noting that there had been widespread misconceptions and misrepresentation on social media.
He stressed that no Anioma indigene, including himself, is opposed to the creation of the state, contrary to how he has been portrayed. However, he maintained that the version of Anioma being pursued must reflect the collective will of the people.
According to him, the desired Anioma State should consist of the nine local government areas in Delta North, remain within the South-South geopolitical zone, and have Asaba as its capital.
He also pointed out that significant efforts by an Asaba indigene led to the city becoming Delta State’s capital, questioning why anyone would now attempt to undermine that status without understanding its history.
Okowa described such moves as misguided, adding that they ignore both logic and the importance of the capital. He concluded by expressing confidence in Asaba’s continued growth, insisting that nothing would hinder its progress.
He emphasized that any pursuit of a common goal must involve proper consultation, noting that leaders should stay connected with their people and understand the wishes of the majority. According to him, assuming one knows everything without broad engagement can lead to the wrong decisions.
He also stated clearly that, considering the legislative timetable, discussions about creating a new state at this point are unrealistic and could mislead the public, stressing that there should be no room for deception.
On Anioma State, he expressed optimism that the aspiration remains alive, but maintained that its actualization would depend on a unified decision by the people. He added that both the Anioma community and the government would need to collectively support the move when the time is right, noting that achieving it is possible.
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