By Kizito Nwankwo
The overriding need to give the South East geopolitical zone a sense of balance in the affairs of the country is beginning to crystallize into something tangible. Its most potent manifestation in recent times is the clamour for an additional state that will bring the zone at par with other zones of the country.
But the idea took on a fresh and refreshing dimension when Senator Ned Nwoko, representing Delta North at the Upper Legislative Chamber came up with a bill that seeks to make Anioma State the sixth state of the south east. Before now, the received idea was that the south east zone, as presently constituted, would have an additional state created out of a portion of its territory. Anioma was not on the cards because Delta State from where it would be carved out from, is in the South south zone of the country.
But Nwoko, obviously driven by reason and uncommon reflection is giving the idea a new meaning. He wants the Igbo- speaking parts of Delta state which he represents to join their kith and kin in the south east. If that is done, the zone would have achieved the much needed balance between it and the other zones of the country in the area of state creation.
I vote for this idea. It is not only novel, it will, if achieved, give politics in the south east a new tone and impetus. It is worth fighting for. Interestingly, since
Senator Nwoko came up with this idea, so much discourse and reflective thinking have gone into it. The sense behind the bill is uncommon. Some will say that Senator Nwoko thought out of the box. But whatever may be the case, many agree that the bill makes a lot of sense. It is good both for the South south and the south east. If the state is created, Delta, one of the most multi-ethnic states in the country, would have been unbundled. The coat of many colours that the state is may be working. But a lot more progress will be made if a distinct group such as the Aniomas is given the opportunity to chart a new course. The Anioma people of Delta state may not feel oppressed, but they have had cause to feel suppressed in the larger Delta. A state of their own such as Anioma will galvanize them into more action and more progress.
For the south east, the idea is equally attractive. But the ignorant among them might feel awkward about Anioma at first. They are likely to think or feel that Delta state is taking up what should naturally be the exclusive preserve of the south east. Some may even feel that the talk about south east is to get Igbos in the zone to feel at home with the idea. But all this will only make meaning in a situation where the issue has not been well digested. Anybody who looks and sees beyond ordinary, plastic reality will appreciate the fact that the larger Igbo will be better for it. It will bring about a stronger bond between Igbos on both sides of the River Niger. Nobody can ignore the fact that Anioma as part of the south east will strengthen Igbo politics.
One of the disadvantages the Igbo face in Nigerian politics is that of the fragmentation of the ethnic group. Apart from the five south east states, there are also indigenous Igbos in Delta, Rivers, Edo, Cross River, Kogi, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa and Benue States. Of all these fragments, Anioma Igbos have a clearer Igbo identity than the rest. The people acknowledge it and readily identify with the larger Igbo. Anioma as part of south east will therefore play an integrative role in the zone. It is only the uninformed and the misguided who do not know where their interest lies. That is why I am amused by the dissenting voices issuing forth from the Ukwuani and Ndokwa axis of Delta north. The problem here is that these riverine communities of Anioma think that they can deny their true origins forever. As Igbo-speaking communities, the Ukwuanis and Ndokwas will be doing themselves a world of good if they go with their Igbo kinsmen who will form Anioma State. Failure to do so will leave them as orphans wherever they decide to pitch their tent.
What is even more instructive in this whole thing is that non-Igbo Nigerians are even more forthcoming in the drive to have Igbos of Delta extraction join their kinsmen east of the Niger. The mood of Nigeria of the present supports this arrangement. The Yoruba have already kick-started it. They want a Yoruba region of Nigeria where all elements of the ethnic nationality irrespective of whether they are in the west or in the north will identify with a common Yoruba ancestry. Anioma as part of south east will help the Igbo to move closer to this ideal. If the Ndokwas and the Ukwuanis break away from the Anioma arrangement, where will they be? Will they become Urhobo, Itshekiri or Ijaw? They cannot be any of these. They should therefore be wise enough to align themselves properly lest they become a people without identity.
Regardless of these pockets of dissenting voices, the National Assembly should stay focused on the bill before it. The merit of the bill should take precedence over feeble howls and kicks from uninformed quarters. In considering this bill, what should be uppermost in the minds of the lawmakers is the overall effect it will have on the Nigerian political space. As we earlier stated, an Anioma state will be like a breath of fresh air. It will not only benefit the nine local government areas that are clamoring for it, the rest of Delta state will also have so much going for it. Those who missed out on Warri as state capital will see their dreams come true. This new sense of freedom will bring more prosperity to non-Igbo axis of Delta State.
Since the major reason for state creation is to increase the quantum of development in the land, Anioma state, when created, will be very viable. Asaba, the capital city of Delta State which will also serve as the capital of Anioma will witness a high volume of development. Its proximity to Onitsha has already given the city a big mileage. If the new state is integrated into the south east, economic integration between the new state and the rest of the south east will be seamless. Overall, the economy of the zone in particular and Nigeria in general will be the better for it.
•Nwankwo writes from Ibuzor, Delta State.