Anioma, the inhabitants of Delta North Senatorial District, are Igbos, according to His Royal Majesty Obi Charles Chukwunweike Anyasi III, the traditional ruler of Idumuje-Unor in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State. Behind the Headlines” is a TVC interview program where Obi Anyasi III made this statement.
The king emphasised that Senator Ned Nwoko was correct in classifying Aniomas as Igbos, despite assertions to the contrary.
The royal father recounted that Sir Dennis Osadebay came up with the phrase “Anioma,” adding the letters “A” and “M” for poetic effect, and that the initials “A” stood for Aniocha, “N” for Ndokwa, “I” for Ika, and “O” for Oshimili.
He spoke about Anioma as a place that is “empowered by nature,” with a population of around two million, a land mass of approximately 6,000 square kilometres, and a robust workforce, industries, cultural objects, and lively traditions.
According to Obi Anyasi, who traced the origins of the Anioma statehood movement, Osadebay spearheaded the movement that started in 1954 under the Lyttleton Constitution, which is regarded as the first genuine federal constitution in Nigeria.
He claims that there have been nine stages of agitation for Anioma, and that the movement has recently gathered steam again thanks to Senator Ned Nwoko’s bill to establish Anioma State in the 10th Senate. You can’t take away from people their inherent desires, and that’s what this unrest is all about.
Personally, I’d say south-south if you asked me. However, it might not be successful given the present political climate.
With only five states in the South-East, the President’s thinking lends credence to the idea of federational balance. “Why don’t we just accept it if the optics favour the South-East and we can’t do anything about it?” he queried.
The king went on to say that more chances would arise and that government would be more accessible to the people if Anioma State was established.