Delta North lawmakers, Council chairmen reject annexation of Anioma to South-East

Lawmakers representing Delta North Senatorial District in the Delta State House of Assembly, alongside the nine Local Government Chairmen from the District, have firmly rejected proposals suggesting that a future Anioma State should be situated within the South-East Geopolitical zone.

In a jointly signed statement issued on Sunday, the legislators and Council Chairmen reiterated their longstanding demand for the creation of Anioma State but insisted that the State must remain within the South-South Region where the Anioma people are historically and administratively located.

The leaders said their position followed extensive deliberations on renewed national discussions and ongoing legislative processes concerning the creation of new States across the country.

According to the group, the agitation for Anioma State is “a legitimate aspiration deeply rooted in history,” championed by past and present leaders of the people.

They described the struggle as a generational pursuit aimed at securing political identity, cultural preservation, and accelerated development for the Anioma nation.

“Our quest for a distinct and autonomous Anioma State is not a fleeting political venture but a legitimate aspiration deeply rooted in history, championed by our revered forebears.

Read also: Barau, Oshiomole, 88 other senators back creation of Anioma State

“We are united in the belief that the creation of Anioma State is a matter of justice, equity, and a necessary step towards fulfilling the political and developmental destiny of the Anioma people”, the statement read.

The leaders expressed “total and unequivocal support” for the creation of Anioma State strictly from the present nine Local Government Areas in Delta North Senatorial District.

They listed the LGAs as Aniocha North, Aniocha South, Ika North-East, Ika South, Ndokwa East, Ndokwa West, Oshimili North, Oshimili South, and Ukwuani, with Asaba proposed as the state capital.

They pledged to deploy their “full political weight and mandate” to lobby and support every legitimate effort that will lead to the establishment of Anioma State. The group however condemned what they described as attempts to drag Anioma into a merger with the South-East, stressing that such propositions contradict the historical and geopolitical identity of the people.

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