Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has officially thrown his weight behind the long-standing agitation for the creation of Anioma State. The governor's endorsement, however, comes with a crucial caveat: the process must adhere strictly to constitutional provisions and the rule of law.
Governor's Position Conveyed Amid Peaceful Protest
The governor's stance was made public on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, by his Chief of Staff, Prince Johnson Erijo. This declaration came as Anioma youths from the nine local government areas of Delta North staged a peaceful protest at the Government House in Asaba. The demonstrators were there to press their demand for the creation of Anioma State and its subsequent zoning to the South-East geopolitical zone.
Speaking on behalf of Governor Oborevwori, Erijo stated that the administration harbours no opposition to the aspirations of the Anioma people. He described their demand as legitimate and deserving of serious consideration, but only within the legal framework established for state creation.
A Call for Unity and Constitutional Order
Prince Erijo commended the protesters for their mature and responsible conduct. He drew a poignant analogy, stating that “no earthly father would give a stone to a child who asks for bread,” emphasizing the government's duty to respond to the genuine needs of its people.
However, he issued a strong caution against internal divisions, urging all Anioma stakeholders to speak with one voice. According to him, a unified position would strengthen the campaign and prevent conflicting narratives that often undermine such struggles. He made it unequivocally clear that while the government supports democratic choice, state creation cannot be achieved outside the constitutional processes involving the National Assembly and other critical stakeholders.
Youths Present Their Case for Reunification
Earlier during the protest, the coalition of Anioma youths, represented by their leaders—Ofochi Atagana (Ukwuani), Ayo Ashiedu (Aniocha North), Kingsley Kainebi (Ika North East), and Chief Jude Ogbekile (Igbanke)—reaffirmed their core demands.
They argued passionately that ancestrally, culturally, and linguistically, the Anioma people are Igbo, an identity they claim has been historically downplayed. Their primary appeal was for the Delta State Government to provide both political and moral backing for their agitation. They acknowledged the constitutional hurdles but stressed that the support of serving governors is often critical to advancing such demands.
The youths presented the proposed state as a “win-win” arrangement, suggesting that Asaba would naturally become the new state capital, while Delta State could designate a new capital for itself. They also called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Assembly to support the Anioma State bill, reaffirming their resolve to be reunited with their kith and kin across the River Niger.
This development marks a significant moment in the decades-long quest for Anioma State, placing the demand firmly on the political agenda with gubernatorial backing, albeit with a strict roadmap anchored in Nigeria's constitutional order.
