The push for the creation of Anioma State is gaining significant traction. Traditional rulers from the Southeast and 85 Senators of the 10th National Assembly have endorsed the initiative, reflecting a surge in nationwide support for the constitutional amendment.
At the forefront of the campaign is Senator Ned Nwoko, representing Delta North senatorial district, who has embarked on a sustained legislative effort to promote the creation of Anioma State as a measure of equity and national balance. Senator Nwoko personally wrote to all senators, urging them to endorse Senate Bill 481, a bill seeking to establish Anioma as Nigeria’s 37th state, carved out of Delta State.
In the letter dated May 27, 2025, addressed to the Senate President and all members of the Red Chamber, Nwoko described the proposal as a moral imperative and a correction of an enduring constitutional imbalance. He argued that while other geopolitical zones have six or seven states, the Southeast remains with only five, a situation he described as unjust and politically disadvantageous to the region.
“This is not merely about redrawing lines on a map,” Nwoko wrote in the letter titled “Anioma as Equity State.” “It is about fairness, inclusion, and giving the Southeast the same structural balance that other regions enjoy. Anioma State will correct this imbalance and deepen our national unity by responding to a legitimate and long-standing grievance of the Igbo people.”
So far, 85 Senators have signed on to support the initiative, and more are expected to join in the coming weeks. Sources close to the Senate hint that cross-party backing for the bill is growing as lawmakers begin to appreciate the broader implications of structural equity in Nigeria’s federal system.
In a significant development, the Ndigbo Progressive Traditional Rulers Forum has also declared its full support for the creation of Anioma State. In a letter dated May 15, 2025, signed by HRM Eze Nnamdi Ofoegbu (Oroko Abia), Diawa I of Umudiawu Ancient Kingdom and Chairman of the Forum, along with HRM Igwe Sunny Orah, Secretary, the Forum praised Senator Nwoko’s courage and vision.
“Your vision, passion, and courage in championing this noble cause resonate deeply with our mission as traditional rulers to uphold unity and fairness among all Igbo people,” the monarchs wrote. “We are proud to identify with you in this historic endeavor and formally declare our support for the creation of Anioma State.”
The traditional rulers pledged to add their royal voice and influence to the campaign, promising collaboration with Senator Nwoko and stakeholders at every stage of the process. The endorsement by Southeast monarchs is viewed as a major boost to the legitimacy and grassroots support for the proposed state.
Anioma, which comprises several local governments in Delta North, is widely recognized as culturally and historically aligned with the Southeast. Advocates argue that its formal inclusion as part of the Southeast via state creation will help achieve geopolitical parity and enhance the region’s representation at the federal level.
Senator Nwoko has urged his colleagues in the National Assembly to embrace the moment with vision and courage. “Let us be remembered as the Senate that brought balance to Nigeria’s state structure and healed a longstanding national wound,” he said.
As the constitutional amendment process unfolds, attention will now shift to the House of Representatives and the State Houses of Assembly, whose endorsements are also required for the bill to pass. However, with growing legislative and traditional support, the campaign for Anioma State appears to be gaining unstoppable momentum.
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