Group knocks Sen. Nwoko over bill on Anioma state creation, says stakeholders not carried along

Pan-Ndokwa organisation, Ndokwa Neku Union, led by Mike Ndubisi, has in dissociated Ndokwa nation from rumoured moves by senator representing Delta North in the Senate, Ned Nwoko, to sponsor a bill for creation of Anioma state.

The group’s position is contained in a statement yesterday signed by General Ndubisi (rtd.) and Secretary General, Chukwuemeka Ojione.

It noted that the consensus is borne out of wide consultations among Ndokwa nation, including president generals of clans who brought rejection verdicts from their people.

The creation of Anioma state according to sponsor of the rejected proposal, Nwoko, is purportedly to make up for the deficit in states in Southeast, a position the union rejected, arguing it will never be part of such arrangement.

Groups in Ndokwa land wondered why the senator never consulted leaders and elders, particularly its umbrella body, in his ‘solo effort,’ which they argued do not represent the yearnings and aspirations of the people.

The body noted: “Ndokwa Neku Union … jointly referred to administratively as Ndokwa and constitute Ndokwa/Ukwuani Federal Constituency of Delta North Senatorial District of Delta State, make the following statements regarding the proposed bill, being canvassed by Ned Nwoko, senator representing Delta North. The said state, according to the senator, is required to become the sixth state of Southeast, to “balance representation” in Southeast

“He claims the call for Anioma state has support from stakeholders,” which include Ndokwa, who are part of a contiguous geographical territory in Delta State, represented by the acronym ANIOMA – derived from names of local governments viz. Aniocha/Oshimili, Ndokwa, and Ika. This claim beats our imagination.

“The furore which the proposal has generated is due to lack of consultation.

“This is not the first time Ndokwa nation would be interrogating and, in fact, rejecting the idea of an Anioma state in Southeast. There was an action in 2021… ‘‘