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Ohanaeze Ndigbo has backed the agitation for Anioma State out of the present Delta State.
In an open letter to President Bola Tinubu, the group said its realisation would address one important aspect of historical grievances, long-standing systemic marginalisation, inequitable deprivations, and the continuous injustices directed against the Igbo as a whole, and the South East geopolitical zone.
It explained that creation of an additional state for the Igbo from Delta State would engender equity, justice and fairness, especially as the number of states and local government areas had all along been the basis of distribution of national wealth to the deliberate and obvious disadvantage of the Igbo and South East peoples.
“The Anioma State is not only an advocacy for political rectification, but also constitutes a unified support for your esteemed administration to officially redress the longstanding marginalisation of the Anioma peoples themselves, the South East geopolitical zone, and a substantial component of Igbo citizens.
“Since the restoration of democracy in Nigeria in 1999, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has been employing every legitimate channel to engage the administrations over the pressing need for an “equaliser” or sixth state for the South East. Despite these efforts, a well-articulated demand for an Aba State under former President Muhammadu Buhari, regrettably, faced obstacles from within and that thwarted the endeavours. Today, with your administration, Mr. President, we perceive a rare beacon of hope for the realisation of the long-cherished aspirations of the South East.
“We firmly believe that the creation of an Anioma State, drawn from the present-day Delta State, will not only address some of the historical grievances and governance imbalances, but also enhance social cohesion and economic development within both Anioma and the remnant of Delta State that would now be favoured with two poles of development and two capital cities.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo is aware of the demands for Aba, Adada, Etiti, Njaba, Orashi, and Orlu states, each of which has their merits, but, after extensive evaluations, we unequivocally recommend Anioma State as the most important among them, both economically and culturally. The other states can be added in case other zones benefit from new states that disrupt the balance that Anioma provides.
“The Anioma people, with shared kinship and cultural lineage with the South East, the initiative is not merely practical but a significant unification of identity and heritage within the geopolitical zone,” the group stated.
The letter was signed by Okechukwu Isiguzoro, Secretary General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo; Professor Chubikeya Achokawa, Chairman, Ohanaeze Committee on States Creation and Chief Alexander Chikalue Okemiri, Secretary of the Committee on States Creation.
Others are Prince Eze Ozobu, Chairman, Ohanaeze Elders Committee on States Creation and Prof. Obasi Igwe (member), as well as Justice Alpha Ikpeama, Director-General, United Igbo Elders’ Council Worldwide and member, Ohanaeze Committee on States Creation.
