Anioma State: Of identity and political expediency

By Nwabiani Ogundu

The Eastern region fared very well during the regional governments in the early 1960s, Communities of same genealogical history shared a lot in common, language, culture, food, linguistic history etc. However, with the politically induced split of the Eastern region by the Gowon-led administration as a war strategy, a lot changed, parts of the Igbo nation were cut in the paradoxical web of war resulting in a prolonged identity crisis. Because of the slant of the war, the survivalist strategy was for some Igbos in the then newly created states to deny their Igboness. That amounted to what the late literay icon, Chinua Achebe called, *”those who pointed to their father’s Obi (compound) with the left hand”*. That tragedy has sadly spilled over to generations.

The fall out of such identity crises has been socio-economically and politically huge. The eagerness to deny Igbo heritage is as current as every new election and every new government. Prominent politicians like the former governor of Rivers State, now Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike and former governor Rotimi Amaechi at various times struggled to extricate themselves from the Igbo heritage they ought to align with. In fact, it is alleged that a Nyesom Wike lost the Vice Presidential nomination in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) because of the fact that he allegedly keeps saying he isn’t Igbo in a party that feels that zoning positions is a good political strategy.

Former governor Ifeanyi Okowa who has now defected to the ruling APC was chosen by the PDP for the VP slot because he is from the Anioma part of Delta state and therefore of Igbo heritage. Many find it curious that with politics on the table, the same Ifeanyi Okowa, whose name has strong semantic depth in Igbo language is allegedly expressing the wish for an Anioma state to be part of the South-South. In politics, as they say, all is fair when personal interest is concerned. But is it?

For clarity, about nine local governments in the present Delta state consists of mainly Igbos who over many administrations down the line and the people were always refered to as first, Mid-Western Igbos, Bendel Igbos and now Delta Igbos. Logically, linguistically and etymologically the Igbos in that part of Nigeria and some other states around the East are still Igbos. The then Premier of the Mid-Western region, Dennis Osadebe, an iconic journalist, poet, former Senate President was part of the earliest agitators for the unification of Ndigbo across board. The agitators relied on natural justice and the validity of the ancient history that informs the continuity of humanity in a certain sociological order.

The legislative action of Senator Ned Nwoko representing Delta North at the 10th Senate of sponsoring the Bill for the creation of Anioma state is currently gaining huge support not just with his colleagues but almost nationally. As a Prince of the Idumuje-Ugboko royal family he believes that sponsoring this bill is a debt he owes not just his ancestry but the good people of Anioma. For some detractors who accuse him of pursuing a governorship ambition through the creation of Anioma state, he has nothing but pity for their myopic view about life, history and heritage.

He is a Senator from Delta North senatorial district, his duty is to use his voice to amplify the yearnings of his people both the dead and the living. As a son of Anioma, governorship of the state when created is not his priority as he doesn’t intend to vie for it. Anioma has some of the best collection of human and natural resources. The best gifts to Nigeria- humans and natural resources come from the Anioma region, hence the semantic import of the name – Good land. The late Osadebe, Prof. Okonjo (Father of Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala), Philip Asiodu, David Dafinone, Tony Elumelu, Nduka Obiaegbena, late Sunny Odogwu and even former first lady Maryam Babangida (Nee Okongwu) and many other prominent Nigerians are all from the Anioma area.

The viability of, the equity, the peace and excitement that would envelop the South East region from the creation of Anioma State would only be second to that of return of democracy in 1999. It would right the wrongs of the past, assuage the sense of marginalization of the South East with only five states and affirm the Igbo identity of those with the identity crises that have become a socio-political albatross of the people. It would clean the tears from the Asaba Massacre, a metaphoric dent on the white Akwa Ocha traditional cloth of the Igbos.

Those holding on to a selfish view of aligning Aniocha to the South-South mainly for economic and political reasons do not understand the value of equity in nation building and stability. We as a nation must think deeper about nationhood and that comes with giving citizens a sense of value through equity, stanility and justice. The South East must be treated fairly in other to assuage the hurt of the war. The promise of Rehabilitation, Reconstruction and Reconciliation had been largely unfulfilled. Creating an Anioma as the sixth South East state is just the best sign of action at this time. The young people who own the future will remember the actors towards this reality with pride.I t is a legacy worth its sweat and consideration.