President Bola Tinubu has thrown his weight behind the creation of Anioma state, according to Senator Ned Nwoko, who revealed the president's position during a major cultural event in Abuja.
Unprecedented Political Support
The Delta North senator made the significant disclosure at the Izu Anioma Towns Union gathering, where the inaugural Anioma cultural festival was officially launched. Senator Nwoko emphasized that the push for establishing Anioma state currently enjoys stronger political backing than at any previous moment in Nigeria's history.
Ninety-seven senators have formally endorsed the state creation initiative, a development the senator described as unprecedented in the annals of Nigeria's legislative proceedings. This substantial support from the upper legislative chamber marks a crucial milestone for the proposal.
Constitutional Amendment Progress
The movement for establishing Anioma state has gained significant traction within the National Assembly's ongoing constitutional review process, which commenced in January 2025 and is scheduled to conclude in December 2025. The joint committee of both legislative chambers has already given unanimous approval for creating a new state in the region.
Senator Nwoko explained that the proposed Anioma state would comprise nine local government areas from his Delta North senatorial district. These areas span across Aniocha, Oshimili, Ika, and Ndokwa zones, creating a substantial territorial foundation for the potential new state.
Regional Balance Considerations
The creation of Anioma state addresses a significant regional imbalance in Nigeria's current state structure. Presently, four of Nigeria's six geopolitical zones maintain six states each: Southwest, South-South, Northeast, and North-Central. The North West zone contains seven states, while the Southeast has only five states - the lowest number among all regions.
Political commentator Omotayo Yusuf offered analysis on the implications of state creation, noting that while new states typically have limited impact on citizens' daily lives beyond political considerations, Anioma state presents a unique opportunity for Southeast Nigeria. Rather than dividing existing southeastern states, it would provide additional land mass to the region.
The process for establishing new states in Nigeria remains rigorous, requiring extensive legislative approval from the National Assembly down to local government levels, followed by a referendum. The current constitutional review process represents the most significant opportunity for state creation in recent years.
