Youths from the nine local government areas of Delta North Senatorial District on Monday embarked on a peaceful protest to the Government House, Asaba, to press for the creation of Anioma State and its zoning to the South-East geopolitical zone.
The protesters, drawn from across the Anioma axis, said their demand was anchored on history, culture, and language, insisting that the Anioma people are Igbo and should be formally recognised as part of the South-East.
Carrying placards and chanting solidarity songs, the youths appealed to the Delta State government to lend political and moral support to the long-standing agitation, which they described as legitimate and overdue.
Addressing the protesters, the Chief of Staff, Government House, Prince Johnson Erijo, assured them that the administration of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori is not opposed to the creation of Anioma State, provided the process is pursued strictly in line with constitutional provisions and democratic principles.
Prince Erijo commended the youths for conducting a peaceful and orderly protest, noting that Gov. Oborevwori had been fully briefed on the development and directed that their concerns be formally received.
He said the agitation for Anioma State is neither misplaced nor unlawful and deserves sincere consideration, stressing that the state government has a responsibility to respond to genuine and lawful demands by its people.
The chief of staff urged Anioma stakeholders to remain united and present a common front, explaining that unity would strengthen the agitation and make it more compelling at the national level.
He outlined the constitutional steps required for state creation, including the submission of petitions and memoranda to the National Assembly, legislative approvals, and the conduct of a referendum.
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According to him, such a referendum would involve all Anioma-speaking local government areas, Aniocha North and South, Oshimili North and South, Ika North East and Ika South, Ndokwa East and West, as well as interested enclaves such as Igbanke in Edo State.
Prince Erijo assured the youths that once a referendum is conducted and a majority of the people vote in favour of Anioma State, that decision would be respected.
Earlier, leaders of the protesting youths, including Ofochi Atagana (Ukwuani), Ayo Ashiedu (Aniocha North), Kingsley Kainebi (Ika North East), and Chief Jude Ogbekile (Igbanke), reaffirmed their resolve to pursue the creation of Anioma State through peaceful and lawful means.
They described the proposed state as a win-win arrangement, noting that Asaba would naturally serve as the capital of the new state, while Delta State would have the opportunity to designate a new capital elsewhere.
The youths also called on President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly to support the Anioma State bill, vowing to sustain the agitation until their aspiration is realised and they are fully reunited with their kith and kin across the River Niger.
