Senator Ned Nwoko has declared that the call for creation of Anioma state was timely and has to happen for various reasons.
Specifically, he said the eventual creation of the state will address years of concerns, challenges of Ndigbo in Nigeria.
Nwoko, who represents Delta North at the 10th senate revealed that senators from Delta, South East and other stakeholders have threw their weight behind the creation of Anioma state to correct perceived marginalisation of south east geo-political zone.
The lawmaker spoke on Wednesday while briefing newsmen in Abuja.
Recall, a bill to create Anioma state passed first reading in the Senate on July 2.
Nwoko, who sponsored the bill, said it seeks to alter provisions of 1999 Constitution (as amended) to create Anioma state.
He further recalled that the creation of Anioma state has received wide support from major stakeholders, Nwoko, saying the two other senators from Delta state, Ede Dafinone (Delta Central and Joel-Onowakpo Thomas (Delta South) support the creation of the state. For me, that is a big support.
“I have gotten support from most of the senators from the south east as well and I know that I will get support from across the country.
“The Izu Anioma, which is the umbrella group of all Aniomas are saying we want it, the Ikpe Anioma says we want it.”
“The most important one is that there is the urgent need to address the injustice, the years of crying of marginalisation by Ndigbo generally.
“It is a huge population in Nigeria, but they only have five states, and so, it will make six states of Ndigbo.
“It is a very long fight, for the quest for Anioma has taken 50 years from the time of Dennis Osadebe.
“There may not be many states created in Nigeria under this dispensation, but certainly, there is an urgent need to create one to address the imbalance.
“It is hoped that when it is done it will assuage the cries of the Igbos because since after the war there has been so many cries of been marginalised of injustice.
“So it is only equitable that it is done because it will deal with the crisis, the killings the violence, the seat at home issues among other issues.”
He said there was the need to bring a lasting solution to issues in the region. “We are looking at finding the solution to crisis, you don’t create a state for the fun of it, no, you create a state to address a particular issue of concern”.
He however dismissed report by a group alleging that he did not consult widely before presenting the bill for creation of Anioma state for first reading.
