The campaign to create Anioma State has crossed a major milestone in the Nigerian Senate. Ninety Senators have signed on to support the proposal, far above the constitutional two-thirds threshold of 67 required for state creation.
Senator Ned Nwoko, representing Delta North, is leading the charge. He wrote to the Senate President and all Senators on May 27, 2025, asking for their support.
“Let us be remembered as the Senate that brought balance to Nigeria’s state structure and healed a longstanding national wound,” he wrote.
The proposed Anioma State would become the sixth state in the Southeast geopolitical zone. It is formally captured under Senate Bill 481, now under review as part of the ongoing constitutional amendment process.
Nwoko said the proposal is rooted in “national development, equity, justice, and federal balance.” He also described Anioma as “a just and logical solution to the imbalance,” noting that the Southeast remains the only zone with five states.
Senators Rally Behind Anioma
Among the top supporters are Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, Senate Leader Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, and Senate Minority Leader Abba Patrick Moro.
Others include former governors Adams Oshiomhole, Seriake Dickson, Orji Uzor Kalu, Gbenga Daniel, and Simon Lalong.
Senators Victor Umeh, Tony Nwoye, and Ireti Kingibe have also endorsed the bill. Their support cuts across party lines, regions, and ethnic backgrounds.
Political analysts say the level of bipartisan support shows that the Anioma State movement has evolved from agitation to legislative reality.
The proposal is now seen as one of the most promising state creation efforts in Nigeria’s recent history.
A Movement Rooted in History
The idea of Anioma State dates back over 50 years. It was first championed by Chief Dennis Osadebay, who coined the name “Anioma” to unite the Aniocha, Ndokwa, Ika, and Oshimili peoples. The name also means “good land” in Igbo.
Senator Nwoko said the campaign is not about politics but destiny. “Anioma is viable in terms of population, economy, culture, and identity,” he said. “It is a generational dream tied to cultural survival and self-determination.”
Traditional rulers, including the Asagba of Asaba and the Dein of Agbor, have also declared their support.
The Ndigbo Progressive Traditional Rulers Forum described the campaign as “a historic endeavour rooted in unity and fairness.”
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