The Aniocha-Oshimili Elders’ Association, otherwise known as Izu Ikei, has declared support for Senator Ned Nwoko’s push for the creation of Anioma State.
The Chairman of the foremost sociocultural organization, Prince Sir Clement Okonjo, made the declaration at an event organized by the group in Asaba over the weekend.
Prince Okonjo said: “We want Anioma State and we have made our position known to the person pushing for it. And I want to let out this secret. Ned Nwoko didn’t just start the agitation today. It’s been there since he was in the House of Representatives.
“Recall that when Delta State was created the choice of Asaba as the state capital became an issue to the extent that our brothers of a particular ethnic extraction claimed that their own part of the state was the true Delta. This was followed by an article written by one of their prominent sons in the Guardian Newspaper.
“The then editor of the newspaper, an Ibusa son, called me to react to the article, which I did. Senator Nwoko saw my reaction and invited me to Lagos. That’s what is amplifying today. So it’s not a new struggle.
He urged those bothered about where the proposed Anioma State would be zoned not to trivialize the issue, insisting that what mattered to members of the association, and indeed other people of Anioma, was to have a state of their own.
“Let us have the state. We will remain where we are with our human and natural resources. Whether we are in the South East or South South will not move us from where we are. Instead, with the Federal Character policy, we will have our Governor, three Senators, the right number of House of Reps members, members of the State Assembly, Councillors, other political appointees and numerous job opportunities.
“We will also have our funds from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC). So let us support Ned Nwoko to see the dream of our state come true. We in Izu Ikei are solidly behind him. Some of our sons who had the opportunity to fight for the state failed to do so and today they are opposing the agitation for no just cause.
“Let those who don’t want the state relocate to wherever they like. We want Anioma and will remain here and fight for it. Period”.
