According to the report from the Vanguard, A bill to amend the 1999 Constitution to create Anioma State from the present Delta State was read for the first time in the Senate. The "Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Alteration) Bill, 2024 (SB. 481)" was sponsored by Senator Ned Nwoko, representing PDP, Delta North.
The bill aims to alter three sections of the 1999 Constitution, replacing the word "36" with "37" to accommodate the new state and inserting "Anioma" immediately after "Delta" in the list of states contained in the Constitution.
Senator Nwoko’s bill advocates for the creation of Anioma State by reorganizing the nine local government areas currently in Delta North. The proposed Anioma State would encompass Aniocha North, Aniocha South, Ika North-East, Ika South, Ndokwa East, Ndokwa West, Oshimili North, Oshimili South, and Ukwuani, with Asaba designated as the state capital.
Nwoko highlighted the disparity in state representation within Nigeria's geopolitical zones, noting, "The South East geopolitical zone currently has five states, unlike its counterparts, except for the North West, which has seven states."
He emphasized that "this disparity results in an imbalance of representation and resources, with the South East having only 15 lawmakers compared to the 18 lawmakers of other zones in the Senate."
"This inequity affects legislative representation and the distribution of national resources, perpetuating a longstanding injustice," Nwoko added.
He further explained the rationale behind the bill, stating, "I am presenting a bill for the creation of Anioma State to correct this historical oversight. Anioma is composed of nine local government areas, six of which are rich in oil and gas resources. The region also boasts significant human capital, making it a viable and sustainable candidate for statehood. Creating Anioma State is not just about increasing the number of states; it is about ensuring fair representation and resource allocation for the South East."