Sen. Ned Nwoko (APC-Delta) says the agitation for the creation of Anioma State is a political necessity that will correct what he calls historical imbalances.
Nwoko, who represents Delta North Senatorial District made this known in an interactive session with newsmen in Abuja on Monday.
The lawmaker sponsored a bill presently before the Senate Committee on Constitution Review to alter the 1999 Constitution as amended to create Anioma state from the present Delta.
He reiterated the need for the creation of Anioma state to be situated in the South East region was for balancing as the region presently had just five states.
“The creation of Anioma state is not just a regional demand but both a historic correction and a political necessity. It is a matter of national justice.
“The South East is the only zone with five states, while others have six or seven; the imbalance translates into fewer senators, fewer representatives, fewer local governments and less federal allocation.
“Anioma, as an Igbo homeland west of the Niger, is the natural candidate to correct this injustice, therefore, the creation of Anioma state will fulfil Nigeria’s promise of equity and fairness. Anioma State will not divide Nigeria; it will strengthen it.
“It will not isolate Anioma; it will integrate Delta North Senatorial District fully into the federation. It will reinforce its Igbo lineage and identity; and affirm it on Nigeria’s map.”
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Reparations and Repatriation also said that Anioma was strategically placed.
“With Asaba as its capital, Anioma state will stand as a bridge between East and West, North and South.
“The Anioma people spread across nine local government areas are geographically nestled in the Delta North Senatorial District, share a long history and rich cultural ties with the Igbos, hence they are Igbos in every sense: by language, tradition, blood and identity.
“Anioma has always been part of the great Igbo nation; and it is our cherished heritage and reality. Our communities in Oshimili, Aniocha, Ika and Ndokwa share ancestral trade and commerce, cultural, linguistic and geographic bonds with Igbo people across the Niger.
“Our market days are the same: Eke, Orie, Afo and Nkwo. Similarly, our cultural affinity is undeniably intertwined as our masquerades from Mgba to Okanga, mirror those in Onitsha, Nsukka, Awka and Owerri.
“Furthermore, linguistically, our names; Okonkwo, Nwafor, Nwanze, Odili and Nkemdilim among others are the same nomenclatures you find across the Igbo nation,” he said.
Nwoko further said that morphologically, words like bia (come), nua (welcome) also show profound connections and linguistic leaning between Anioma dialects and Igbo language, proving beyond doubt that Anioma people are part of the greater Igbo ethnolinguistic family.
He added that the people of Delta North have always been variously described as Midwest Igbo, Ika Igbo and Bendel Igbo.