Okowa tackles Ned Nwoko, says Anioma State must be created out of South South, not South East

Immediate past Delta State governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, has criticised Senator Ned Nwoko over the campaign for the creation of Anioma State, accusing him of pursuing a plan that could move Anioma to the South East and strip Asaba of its status as state capital.

Okowa made the remarks on Tuesday while addressing All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders in Oshimili South Local Government Area during consultations ahead of his reported 2027 bid to return to the Senate.

He said contrary to claims in some quarters, the people of Delta North are not against the creation of Anioma State, but want it to remain within the South South geopolitical zone.

According to him, the preferred arrangement is for Anioma State to comprise the nine local government areas of Delta North, with Asaba serving as the capital.

“There’s been a lot of misconceptions, a lot of misrepresentation in the media concerning Anioma State,” Okowa said.

“I don’t believe there is any Anioma son opposed to the creation of Anioma State. Not me as people try to portray. And the Anioma that we seek, that the people collectively wish for, is that they want the Anioma made up of the nine local governments that will be resident in the South South geopolitical zone, with Asaba as headquarters.”

In an apparent reference to Nwoko, who currently represents Delta North in the Senate and is expected to contest the seat again in 2027, Okowa said any move to alter Asaba’s position would be misguided.

“An Asaba daughter fought for us and today we have Asaba as headquarters. Somebody who doesn’t even understand how it came suddenly wants to wish away that headquarters. It’s terrible. It’s unwise. Common sense should have told him that what he’s doing is wrong,” he stated.

The former governor added that Asaba’s continued expansion makes any attempt to downgrade its status unrealistic.

“We know the borders of the headquarters. And Asaba is growing beyond bounds. Nothing will stop the growth of Asaba.”

Okowa also faulted what he described as a one-man approach to the Anioma agitation, saying any serious push for state creation must be rooted in broad consultation with the people.

“It’s important that when we’re pursuing something, you must be in touch with your people. You must know what the majority want. When you believe you know it all, you go the wrong path,” he said.

He maintained that the current legislative calendar leaves little room for state creation discussions, accusing unnamed politicians of misleading the people with unrealistic promises.

“Who is talking about state creation now? Obviously, he’s trying to deceive his people. We don’t want any deceit. We will continue to desire Anioma State. And when it will come, it will be the collective decision of our people.”

Okowa said any future demand for Anioma State must reflect a united position of the people of the region and the Delta State government.