The Senator representing Delta North, Ned Nwoko, has said that lasting peace will return to the South-East only when the Federal Government addresses the region’s long-standing feelings of marginalisation through concrete political action.
Speaking on the growing insecurity and agitation in the region, Nwoko argued that the release of IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, and the creation of Anioma State as the sixth state in the South-East would go a long way in ending years of unrest.
“The South-East has suffered from perceived neglect by successive governments. The solution is simple — release Nnamdi Kanu and create Anioma State. These two actions will bring peace to the region almost immediately,” the senator said.
Nwoko, a strong advocate for a political solution to the crisis, maintained that Kanu’s continued detention is unjust and has only worsened the anger and alienation felt by many in the South-East.
“Kanu is being held unjustly. His incarceration is the major reason for the growing unrest and loss of trust in government across the South-East,” he added.
Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since his re-arrest in June 2021. He is currently facing terrorism-related charges before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Over the years, several South-East leaders have called for a political resolution to his case, insisting that dialogue, not detention, remains the only viable path to peace.
‘Almost Certain of Anioma State’
Senator Nwoko, who is spearheading the campaign for the creation of Anioma State from the present Delta State, expressed optimism that the proposal would soon become reality.
He revealed that the Joint Committee of the Senate and House of Representatives on Constitution Review has already approved the creation of an additional state in the South-East to balance the geopolitical structure, with Anioma State among the top contenders.
“The National Assembly has set up a committee to determine which proposal will be adopted. There are about seven contenders from the South-East, and we have presented a strong case.
At the public hearing in Enugu, our submission received overwhelming support, and I am almost certain that Anioma will be chosen,” he stated.
Nwoko further expressed confidence that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would give his approval once the legislative process is complete, describing the move as “the best gift” the President could offer to both the people of Anioma and the entire Igbo nation.
“The creation of Anioma State will not only bring justice and balance but also restore the confidence of the South-East in Nigeria’s unity and leadership,” he concluded.
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