Anioma State deserves a chance

The mood of the country seems to suggest that relevant institutions inNigeria are making efforts, even if feeble, to redress some of the injustices that the south east zone of the country has been complaining about. The most telling of them all is the imbalance in the distribution of states across the zones. The south east, of all the six geopolitical zones, has the least number of States.

To ensure that this imbalance does not become a permanent feature of the Nigerian Federation, some concerned members of the National Assembly are taking steps to bail the south east in particular and Nigeria at large out of the ugly setup.

It is on the strength of this that we are beginning to witness bills and applications before the National Assembly for the creation of an additional state in the zone. Whereas some south east legislators may see the possible opening as an opportunity to put forward their agitations for their dream states, something more pragmatic and more enduring has come up to fill the missing link. That pragmatic offshoot is the agitation for the creation of Anioma state. It would have been out of place for a south south state such as Delta to seek to fill the gap in state creation in the south east. But the catch here, and that is the beauty of the matter, is that an Anioma state to be created out of Delta state will become the sixth state of the south east. In other words, Anioma will not be part of the south south, rather, it will become part and parcel of the south east. The thinking behind this plan is not only novel, it is strategic and uncommon.

The real deal in the arrangement is that the Igbo-speaking people of Delta state will now look eastwards with a view to joining their kith and kin in the eastern region of the country. No one needs to be told that this plan will serve the strategic interest of not only Anioma Igbos but also that of Igbos east of the Niger. The sponsor of the bill at the Senate, Ned Nwoko, deserves commendation for coming up with this idea that will give the south east a new impetus and heightened vibrancy.

The move by Senator Nwoko who represents Delta North in the Senate has been well received by his fellow Aniomas. The people are looking forward to this arrangement that will integrate them with the south east. Even though some whimper is issuing forth from the Ndokwas and the Ukwuanis, the agitation for Anioma state is very much on course. The dissenting voices from these riverine areas of Anioma should not throw away the baby with the bath water. Rather, they should sit back and reflect on what Anioma holds for them. If they do, they will realize that they have no place to run to. As Igbo-speaking communities, they are part and parcel of the Igbo race. Trying to deny their roots amounts to self-negation. A people that have pride and dignity do not deny their ancestry. Besides, the Ukwuanis and Ndokwas will have no where to run to if they do not accept Anioma. I am aware that they are neither Urhobos nor Itshekiris. They are also not Ijaws. Which ethnic group will they join if they reject their Igbo roots? They should think about this before they commit harakiri of sorts.

Outside Delta state, it is important to take a look at the mood in the south east.
Just like the bill for Anioma State, some south east legislators have also sent a bill for the creation of Orlu and Etiti states out of some states of the zone. The applicants want the additional state being proposed for the south east to come from their territories.

The demand for Orlu state, just like that of Etiti, have their merits. We grant those behind them the right to push their case to the front row. But the Igbo, be they of the East or West, need to be strategic in their thinking in this matter.

What should be paramount here should not be sectional interest. Rather, the overall best interest of the Igbo should matter most.

Agitations for Orlu and Etiti states, when placed side by side with the demand for Anioma state, pale into insignificance. Anioma will serve the strategic interest of the Igbo nation, both politically and economically. The integrative imperative that will come with the arrangement cannot be overemphasized. This will be good for Igbo politics at the centre. The Anioma arrangement will also help the south east zone to forge a better economic integration. This, no doubt, will bring about accelerated development of the zone.

For those who may not know, the integration of Anioma state into the south east, when created, will be a significant first step towards Igbo political renaissance. The Igbo have suffered a lot of political disadvantage because its indigenous people are scattered in at least ten states of the Federation. Owing to the unenviable state of the Igbo nation occasioned by the ravages of the Civil War, most Igbos found outside the south east are a bit reluctant to identify with the Igbo. If Anioma becomes part of the south east, it become both an incentive and a challenge to Igbos outside the south east. Like Anioma, they will like to join the mainstream Igbo and relate with them in political and economic matters.

In fact, if there is any section of Igboland that will be buoyed into action by Anioma state, it is Igbos of Rivers state, particularly the Ikwerres who are given to denying their Igboness. Rivers Igbos can form a huge political bloc like the Aniomas of Delta state. If Anioma takes the bold step that it is taking now, it will be the beginning of the movement towards the return of runaway Igbos who erroneously believe that they can find accommodation elsewhere. This will be particularly instructive to Rivers Igbos who are always betraying their Igbo brothers in national politics in favour of players from other ethnic groups.
Therefore, if the south east is to get only one state for the sake of balance with the other zones, that state should be Anioma. Orlu, Etiti or any other state being demanded for by the south east will be good to go when the slot increases to more than one. For now, let all the canvassers for a new state for the south east give Anioma a chance.

Okwuchi sent this piece from Abuja.