Protesters took to the streets of Asaba, the Delta State capital, on Monday, to voice their anger over moves to replace Asaba as the capital of the proposed Anioma State.
The demonstrators stormed the Government House, Asaba, carrying placards and chanting solidarity songs to register their displeasure.
They wielded boldly written placards with inscriptions such as “No Asaba as state capital, no proposed Anioma State”, “Rejection of plan to remove Asaba as state capital of the proposed Anioma State”, and other messages denouncing the alleged plot.
The protesters insisted the proposal was unacceptable and a direct attack on the identity of the Anioma people.
Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Mr. Chike Ifesiokwu, a former chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oshimili South Local Government Area, said the people of Asaba were fully prepared to defend their city’s status.
He said the community would “vehemently resist” any attempt to strip Asaba of its rightful position.
“We are peaceful people, but when pushed, we will not fold our arms,” Ifesiokwu declared.
“We will mobilise, even to the level of militancy, if necessary, to protect our integrity and our rights as a people. This plan will not stand.”
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He accused those allegedly pushing for the relocation of the capital of acting out of personal interest and being “easily manipulated by drama and detritus.”
Ifesiokwu stressed that Asaba remains the most viable, most strategic, and most historically grounded choice for the capital of the proposed Anioma State.
He noted that Asaba had grown into one of the fastest-developing cities in Delta State, hosting residents from across the country because of its peaceful and accommodating nature.
“Asaba has become a safe haven for people from the South-East and beyond. Everywhere you look, construction is ongoing. People invest here because they trust this city,” he said.
He also commended the Delta State governor for what he described as “pragmatic and responsive leadership,” adding that the community stood firmly behind him.
However, he urged the governor to disregard what he called an “ill-conceived and short-sighted agenda” by those attempting to undermine the city.
The protesters maintained that Asaba remains the cultural, historical, and administrative nucleus of the Anioma people and vowed to resist any move capable of altering that status.
Chief of Staff to the governor of Delta State, Johnson Erijo, addressed the crowd on behalf of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.
He commended the protesters for their peaceful conduct and assured them that the government had no intention of acting against the will of the Asaba people.
Erijo explained that the process of creating a new state is constitutionally complex and cannot be executed without the involvement and agreement of the people concerned.
He disclosed that legislators and local government chairmen met over the weekend and passed a resolution affirming that no proposal exists to relocate the capital of the proposed Anioma State.
“The creation of a state is a tedious constitutional process,” Erijo said. “No one wakes up to write that a new state has been created and its capital moved.
“There must be due process, including a referendum in which all Delta North people will decide if they even want to be part of such a state. In that process, the suitability of the capital will be clearly stated.”
He emphasised that Asaba’s rapid growth, its status as one of the safest cities in the region, and its reputation as a welcoming home for people from across the Niger make any relocation plan impracticable and unrealistic.
“We have seen your position, we have acknowledged your concerns, and your rejection of such a move has been noted,” he added.
“On behalf of your loving governor, I assure you that the government will not act against the aspirations of the Asaba people. You have been good hosts to the government and to the entire Delta State.”
