…says 6th state for S’East has nothing to do with ethnic expansion
The member representing Ideato North and Ideato South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Ikenga Ugochinyere has said that inasmuch as the right for the sixth state for the South East was given to core South Eastern geography, the zone can only support Anioma State creation if it willing to unite and address its core demands.
Ugochinyere who was reacting to the recent euphoria online and statements of assurance that Anioma State will be created with a capital in Asaba, took a serious taken opposing positions on the capital city and the political alignment of the proposed state.
Ugochinyere warned that the move to create an additional state for the South East has nothing to do with ethnic expansion as many people are ignorantly misinforming people online, stressing that the core issue on the ground is not ethnic expansion, but to balance the inequality against the South East region.
He stressed that if the Anioma people are willing to join the South East, and unite under Anim State, that it will be good, but stressed that the capital must be in the South East of which Orlu, the current commercial hub of Imo state has been mapped out for the capital of Anim State.
“We Igbos across the Niger seek one more state for the purpose of balancing the injustice of five states, while others have six and seven. Ethnic expansion is good, but our agenda is for an additional state for the South East region.”
“If Anioma will agree to join us across the Niger and unite under Anim State (A proposed new state to be delineated from Anambra and Imo), we will be happy,” Ugochinyere added.
He stressed for emphasis that “the state capital and location must be in the South-East, and that is why we are unanimously rooting for Anim.”
His position has exposed the obvious hidden truth the Anioma State agitators fear, as there has been this disagreements emerging over the proposed location of the state capital and the broader implications for the South-East’s long-standing demand for equity in Nigeria’s geo-political structure.
Many South East people are shocked that
Senator Ned Nwoko, who was seen in series of meetings with Anioma people over some months ago saying on video that he does not care where the Anioma State will be zoned to, but when it became obvious that only the South East had a slot for state creation, his messages changed.
Meanwhile, more controversy follows an earlier assurance made out of excitement by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who in March 2026 gave his own support to the creation of Anioma State, naming Asaba as its proposed capital.
According to Akpabio, “Anioma state will be created, with Asaba as its capital. The Senate fully supports the initiative spearheaded by Senator Ned Nwoko. This step will usher in a new era of development and shared prosperity for all constituent communities.
“With Asaba as Anioma state capital, Warri will be the capital of the new Delta,” Akpabio told All Progressives Congress members at a South-South Zonal Congress in Asaba.
Nwoko energized by Akpabio’s assurance, on April 2, led a delegation of traditional rulers from the Anioma region on a courtesy visit to the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, who chairs the House Committee on Constitution Review.
At the meeting, Nwoko said, “For decades, leaders from the South-East have demanded the creation of an additional state to bring the region on par with others.
“While the North-West has seven states, other geo-political zones have six, leaving the South-East with five — a disparity often cited as a source of political and economic disadvantage, particularly in federal appointments, resource allocation and legislative representation.
“It is within this context that the Anioma proposal has gained traction. The Anioma people of Delta North share cultural and linguistic ties with the Igbo of the South-East, fuelling arguments that the new state could help address the imbalance.”
Responding to Nwoko’s statement, Benjamin Kalu reiterated his support for the creation of an additional state in the South-East, and just like Ugochinyere, he proposed a unifying “Animoma” model, where Anioma will have to unite with Anim as a practical pathway forward.
According to him, the creation of Anioma State from South South to South East cannot be achieved in isolation, stressing the importance of collaboration with governors and key stakeholders across both the South-East and South-South regions.
According to Benjamin Kalu, “You can’t do this without the Governors of the South-East and South-South. It is our duty to pass Bills, but critical stakeholders must be involved. If you ask me between having Anioma State and Anim State, I would prefer a fusion—Animoma—so that the two brothers can come together as one,.”
Benjamin Kalu further urged proponents of separate state to embrace compromise for the greater good, noting that unity would strengthen the case for state creation.
Kalu was equally emphatic on the issue of the proposed Anioma State capital, when he said that the location would emerge through negotiation and democratic consensus.
He further noted that while the Anioma State creation proposal is achievable, its success depends on the willingness of stakeholders to engage constructively and promptly.
