The Senator for Delta North, Ned Nwoko, asserts that peace remains elusive in the South-East geopolitical zone due to the perceived marginalization of the area by successive administrations.
The South-East has experienced ongoing unrest in recent years, largely due to the agitations from the separatist group, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), which has been advocating for the establishment of an independent state of Biafra.
Senator Nwoko, who is spearheading the initiative for the formation of Anioma State from the current Delta State to serve as the sixth state in the South-East, stated that the government needs to undertake two specific actions to restore peace in the region.
He believes that the establishment of Anioma State and the release of IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, will likely lead to enduring peace in the South-East.
“The issues in the South-East stem from the perceived injustices perpetrated by successive governments,” Senator Nwoko remarked during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics.
“Therefore, the necessary actions to be taken, which is one of the reasons for my presence here today, include the creation of a new state to increase the total to six, along with the release of Nnamdi Kanu.
“Once these two measures are implemented, I am nearly certain that peace will be restored to the South-East.”
‘Nnamdi Kanu held unjustly’
Kanu, the beleaguered IPOB leader, has been detained by the Department of State Services (DSS) since his re-arrest in June 2021. He is currently facing terrorism charges at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
There have been numerous calls from various sectors, particularly from some leaders in the South-East, advocating for a political resolution that would facilitate the release of the IPOB leader by the Federal Government.
In support of Kanu’s release, Senator Nwoko expressed that the IPOB leader is being unjustly detained. He contended that Kanu’s imprisonment is a primary factor contributing to the unrest in the South-East.
‘Nearly assured of Anioma State’
The Joint Committee of the Senate and House of Representatives on Constitution Review has sanctioned the establishment of an additional state in the South-East, and Senator Nwoko is optimistic that his proposed Anioma State will receive approval.
“Currently, the National Assembly has assembled a committee to determine which state to select. There are approximately seven states from the South-East, and we are among them.
“During the public hearing in Enugu, we also advocated for our case, so I am nearly confident that we will be selected,” he stated.
He further conveyed his belief that President Bola Tinubu will endorse the formation of Anioma State, asserting that it would symbolize the most significant gift from the President to the people of Anioma and the Igbo community at large.
