By Deborah Coker
Sen. Ned Nwoko (APC-Delta, says the clamour for the creation of Anioma State is not about politics, but a matter of destiny, equity and justice for the people.
Nwoko who represents Delta North Senatorial District and Chairman, Senate Committee on Reparations and Repatriation said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Abuja on Wednesday.
According to him, it is a generational dream tied to cultural survival and self determination.
”It has nothing to do with politics of APC or PDP. Anioma has always maintained a distinct sense of self in spite of administrative boundaries.
“Anioma is viable in terms of any parameter for state creation, be it population, economic viability, linguistic and cultural affinity, identity and historical link.
“It was therefore a huge surprise and disappointment that some persons are politicising the Anioma state creation and making it look like a political struggle.
“This myopic attitude and viewpoint clearly demonstrates a disconnect from the Anioma people who are visibly excited that their emancipation is in sight.”
The lawmaker also told NAN that though he didn’t start the struggle, he would complete it.
According to him, the struggle for the creation of Anioma state is more than 50 years old.
”Distinguished personalities like Chief Dennis Osadebay, the first Premier of Midwest State pioneered the struggle.
“He in fact coined the word ‘Anioma’ to encompass the Aniocha, Ndokwa, Ika and the Oshimili people of the old Midwest state, but now under Delta.
“In another sense the term ‘Anioma’ also means the good land or land of good. Chief Dennis Osadebay did not start the state creation as a political movement. It was purely framed on the destiny of the people rooted in identity and history.
“In fact other people later joined the struggle like George Orewa, Sen. Nosike Ikpo, HRM Prof. Chike Edozien, the late Asagba of Asaba.
“There was also a former Delta Deputy Governor, Sir Benjamin Elue, who presented a paper on Anioma state creation at the 2014 National Conference inaugurated by the former President Goodluck Jonathan.
“None of these patriots rooted for the creation of ANIOMA state under the banner of politics.”
He also said that he had no ambition of being the first governor of a created Anioma state.
“So what is the fear of the antagonists to the creation of Anioma state? Whose interests are they representing?
“The present day struggle for the creation of Anioma state has the blessing of the new Asagba of Asaba, Prof. Epiphany Azinge, the Dein of Agbor, HRM Benjamin Keagborekuzi I, and other notable Royal fathers as well as politicians from every political divide and supporters from every tribe and language in the district.
“The Anioma state creation is supported by about 85 senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and a huge support from the Presidency.
“To show that the protagonists of the Anioma state creation are cowards who operate under the dark , they could not attend the historic public hearing at Uyo and Enugu which held on July 4th and 5th to voice out their dissent,” said.
Nwoko disclosed that the public hearing was a resounding success for the Anioma state creation bid, adding that no one voice of dissent was heard meaning that it is popular, generally accepted and feasible.
“Let it be sounded clearly that the Anioma state creation is not a demand for separation but for recognition. No sensible person should stand on its way.
“It is a moving train that can potentially crush any clog on its wheel of progress. Let us all divorce politics for this cause, because It is a dream which time has come.
“It is bigger than politics of attrition. It is bigger than any one person. It is a collective vision rooted in cultural uniqueness, values and contribution to the larger Nigerian state.
“This is the time for unity and not division. A house divided against itself cannot stand,” he emphasised. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)