ASABA/Nigeria: In response to Senator Ned Nwoko’s recent initiative to create Anioma State, the Ndokwa Study Group has voiced significant concerns, while at same affirming its position of the new state.

The group, in a statement signed by President Dr. Norris Ovili, argues that the proposal lacks due consultation and recommendation that the new state be part of the South-East Geopolitical Zone. This suggestion, they say, has been met with strong opposition from Ndokwa and other stakeholders.

The group insists that the proposed Anioma State should only include areas west of the Niger, specifically the old Aboh and old Asaba Divisions. Extending the state east of the Niger is unacceptable to them. The current local government structure is viewed as imbalanced and biased against Ndokwa, and the group demands reforms to address these disparities before any new state is created.

It further stated that Ndokwa people feel marginalized within the existing Anioma arrangements and demand that these issues be addressed to ensure fair representation and development. The group calls for a negotiated agreement between the people of old Aboh and old Asaba Divisions, rather than the perceived imposition of the current proposal.

The Ndokwa Study Group recalls the longstanding efforts and commitment of Ndokwa leaders to the creation of Anioma State. Dating back to the Amai Convention of 1956, which sought to unify the Igbo-speaking people west of the Niger, these efforts have seen numerous milestones, including recommendations by the House of Representatives in 1980 and further attempts in 2008. Despite these initiatives, they argue, the creation of Delta State in 1991 failed to fulfill the aspirations of the Anioma people.

To ensure that the creation of Anioma State is fair and inclusive, the Ndokwa Study Group has laid out specific recommendations:

1. Equal Local Government Areas: The old Aboh and Asaba Divisions should each have an equal number of Local Government Areas. This could involve creating three additional Local Government Areas in Ndokwa, given its population, landmass, and economic viability.
2. Governorship Rotation: The group advocates for a rotational governorship arrangement between the old Aboh and old Asaba Divisions, starting with a governor from Ndokwa.
3. Shadow Government: Establish a shadow government to ensure balanced development and representation from both divisions.

NSG also used the statement to call on the President and Executives of Ndokwa Neku Union (NNU) to urgently form a team of knowledgeable Ndokwa individuals. This team should engage with counterparts in Aniocha, Oshimili, and Ika to negotiate and secure Ndokwa interests in the proposed Anioma State.

It further reaffirms its support for the creation of Anioma State, provided that the proposal is revised to ensure fairness and equity. The group stresses that addressing the long-standing imbalances and marginalization issues is crucial for the success and unity of the new state.

The Full Statement

                                                                           THE PROPOSED CREATION OF ANIOMA STATE:

THE POSITION OF NDOKWA STUDY GROUP

Members of Ndokwa Study Group have been following with keen interest, the reactions trailing the recent move initiated by Senator Ned Nwoko to actualize the creation of Anioma State. Several concerns have been expressed on the way and manner the whole idea was contrived without due consultation. Of particular concern to all stakeholders is the recommendation by Senator Ned Nwoko that the proposed state should be created as the sixth state in the South-East Geopolitical Zone.

It could be deciphered from the various shades of opinion so far expressed that:

1. Our people are opposed to the creation of Anioma State that will extend beyond Old Aboh and Old Asaba Divisions (i.e. West of the Niger) to the East of the Niger;
2. We, the people of Ndokwa take exception to any move to create an Anioma State that will include Ndokwaland without addressing the lopsided local government structure and the siting of development projects and social infrastructure in such a manner that is deliberately skewed against Ndokwa;

• We, the people of Ndokwa are opposed to an Anioma State arrangement that will inherit the current demeaning imbalances that project Ndokwa as junior partners in the whole scheme of Anioma affairs, even in the face of the slogan – “Anyi bu ofu” to which we have continued to pay lips service; and

1. The Anioma State arrangement should be negotiated and agreed upon between the people of Old Aboh and Old Asaba Divisions rather than the current approach that smacks of imposition;

Without prejudice to all the views expressed on this topical issue, it is pertinent to note that in the past, the commitment of prominent Ndokwa sons and daughters to the creation of Anioma State was profound and unwavering. As far back as August 1956, there was the Declaration of Amai Convention which was the first step taken to create a common identity for the people of Anioma commonly referred to as “Igbo­ Speaking people, West of the Niger.” Subsequent efforts in that direction culminated in the recommendation by the House of Representatives Committee on State Creation in 1980 that Anioma State should be created, having met the constitutional requirements for state creation. Preparations for a referendum for the creation of States early in 1984 were still ongoing when the military struck in December 1983.

Following persistent agitations for state creation, Delta State amongst some other states was created in 1991 even though it did not adequately reflect the wish of the Anioma people. Thus, the continued agitation for creating a proper Anioma State that comprises the old Aboh and the old Asaba Divisions. In 2008 there was another move for the creation of Anioma State with the Late Joshua Enueme and Ronald Eyime playing very prominent roles to ensure the effective representation of Ndokwa interest.

Before the submission of the memorandum for the Anioma State creation to the National Assembly in that year, three major issues were pressed home before Anioma leaders in the meetings that were held at the Asagba’s place, to wit:

1. The proposed Anioma State should comprise the old Aboh and the old Asaba Divisions only;
2. The local government structural imbalance, skewed against Ndokwa should addressed; and

• There should be a shadow government with the Governor coming from Ndokwa since the old Asaba division is already hosting the Capital for the proposed State.

Based on the foregoing trajectory, we want to believe that the Ndokwa people fully identify with the rest of the good people of Anioma in our desire to achieve the creation of the Anioma State of our dream (comprising old Aboh and old Asaba divisions) as opposed to the Anioma State proposed by Senator Ned Nwoko.

We wish to emphasize that the present geo-political zone known as Delta North (the proposed Anioma State) was made up of the old Aboh Division and Asaba Division. Whilst the Old Asaba Division is presently made up of six (6) Local Government Areas, the Aboh Division was merely split, albeit reluctantly, into only three (3) Local Government Areas. It is our firm understanding that the philosophy behind the current move to create more states is to address the imbalance in the Federation. In line with this philosophy, therefore, it is only fair and equitable that the old Asaba and Aboh divisions have an equal number of Local Government Areas to begin with. In a nutshell, the Ndokwa people are not unmindful of the total neglect and marginalization we have suffered over the years in all areas of development – in Local Government Areas creation, distribution of social­ economic amenities, as well as appointment into political and civil offices.

The lopsided development in Anioma, skewed against Ndokwa as it were cannot be jettisoned if we must actualize the creation of Anioma State. The creation of six Local Governments out of the Old Asaba Division and only three out of the Old Aboh Division means that the Government has been brought far nearer the Old Asaba Division in contrast to the Old Aboh Division. This also means the development of more urban centres in the Old Asaba Division, double that of the Old Aboh Division.

This disparity in development has been further advanced by the fact that all the Higher Institutions in Delta North Senatorial District (Anioma) are sited in the Old Asaba Division. None in the Old Aboh Division. Only recently, a Medical and Health Sciences University was approved by the Federal Government, to be sited in Kwale. However, but for the efforts of a few individuals, it is yet to be seen, any concerted efforts by our leaders and well-meaning Ndokwa sons and daughters for its immediate take-off.

The lopsided creation of Local Government Areas and the siting of development projects has drastically altered the demographic configuration of Anioma and facilitated increased urbanization of the Old Asaba Division at the expense of the Old Aboh Division.

Needless to mention again, the nature of the appointments to public offices was such that while the Old Asaba Division was being empowered through appointments, the Old Aboh Division was left to sulk.

Be that as it may, even if more Local Government Areas were created today in the Old Aboh Division and less in the Old Asaba Division, the deeply entrenched imbalances in Anioma would not have been addressed but only marginally ameliorated. Let us take a cue from the Nigeria State. In the early sixties what we had was one colossus (the Northern Region) and three midgets (the Western, Midwestern and Eastern regions in the South).

Over the years all that has been addressed and what we have now are nineteen (19) States in the North and Seventeen (17) in the South. If we truly believe in the slogan “Anyi bu ofu”, these imbalances against the Old Aboh Division should be addressed as a precondition for going into the Anioma State arrangement.

It is the firm position of the Ndokwa Study Group that our continued support for the creation of Anioma State that would include Ndokwa Land can only be guaranteed on the grounds that:

1. the proposed Anioma State is made up of the old Aboh and the old Asaba divisions;
2. The Old Asaba Division and Aboh Division have an equal number of Local Government Areas to begin with. Accordingly, we are requesting that three (3) additional Local Government Areas be carved out of the existing three (3) Local Government Areas of Ndokwa land having regard to her population, landmass and economic viability, and such that we go into the Anioma State arrangement with a twelve (12) Local Government Areas structure; and

• A shadow government arrangement that will ensure the emergence of the first Anioma State Governor from Ndokwa, as well as a Governorship rotation arrangement between Old Aboh and Old Asaba Divisions, should be agreed upon.

We therefore humbly call on the President and Executives of Ndokwa Neku Union (NNU) to as a matter of urgency constitute a high-powered team of well-meaning and knowledgeable Ndokwa sons and daughters to interface with our brothers in Aniocha, Oshimili and Ika and negotiate Ndokwa interest in the proposed Anioma State, putting into consideration the foregoing expressed views.

President NSG