Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has commended the South-East Governors and National Assembly members for endorsing Anioma as the preferred choice for the proposed sixth state in the region. The commendation was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, by the Forum of Ohanaeze State Presidents following consultations led by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu.
According to the statement, National Assembly members from the South-East contacted the Governors of their respective states and requested them to rank the proposed new states. The outcome of the consultations showed Ebonyi and Abia voting Anioma as their first choice and Adada as their second choice. Enugu preferred Adada first and Anioma second, while Imo selected Anim as first choice and Anioma as second. Anambra voted Anim as its first choice and Adada as second.
With two first-choice votes and two additional second-choice votes, Anioma emerged the most preferred option among the Governors, surpassing ANIM, which had only one second-choice vote. The Governors were said to have agreed that Anioma offered the strongest advantages in terms of viability, landmass, population, human capital, and economic potential. They argued that unlike other proposed states, Anioma would contribute significantly to the geopolitical and economic strength of the South-East.
The statement explained that the Governors also considered the historical importance of Anioma, noting that its state creation agitation dates back to 1939. It added that the creation of Anioma State would help heal the lingering wounds of the October 1967 Asaba massacre and address decades of identity-related challenges faced by Anioma people due to the forced denial of their Igbo heritage.
Ohanaeze further stated that the creation of Anioma State would represent a major milestone in Igbo unification, especially with the recent emergence of Senator John Azuta-Mbata, an Ikwerre man, as President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo. The organization said the development had finally clarified the Igbo identity of many Rivers Igbos. The group expressed confidence that the proposed Anioma State would equally unify Igbos across the Niger and resolve longstanding identity issues affecting Igbo communities in Edo State, including the Igbankes.
Describing the decision as a new dawn for Ndigbo, the Forum praised the South-East Governors and National Assembly members for their patriotism and forthrightness during the consultations. It urged all Igbo groups, institutions, and patriots within Nigeria and in the diaspora to support the Anioma State creation effort as a historic responsibility.
The statement was signed by Mazi Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu, President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Anambra State; Chief Benjamin C. Igumbor, President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Delta State; Barr. Justice Okoha, President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Ebonyi State; Nze Barr. Chris Obialor, President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Imo State; and Livingstone Wechie, President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Rivers State.
