Okowa tackles Nwoko over Anioma State proposal, warns against ‘public misrepresentation’

Former Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, has accused Senator Ned Nwoko of misleading the public over ongoing discussions surrounding the proposed creation of Anioma State, cautioning that the timing and narrative of the debate could create false expectations.

Okowa made the remarks while addressing stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oshimili South Local Government Area during a political meeting linked to his senatorial ambition.

His comments come amid renewed agitation for the creation of Anioma State, a proposal that has generated widespread debate across Delta North.

In his address, the former governor questioned the feasibility of advancing state creation discussions at this stage of the legislative cycle. He argued that the current timetable of lawmakers makes it impractical for such a proposal to be meaningfully considered, warning that raising the issue now could amount to deceiving the public.

“There’s been a lot of misrepresentation in social media concerning Anioma State,” Okowa said, stressing that while the aspiration for statehood is widely shared among the people of the region, it must be pursued through a realistic and transparent process.

He rejected claims that he opposes the creation of Anioma State, insisting that no indigenous people of the region are against the idea. However, he emphasized that any such move must reflect the collective will of the people and not be driven by individual positions or political narratives.

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According to Okowa, the proposed Anioma State should comprise the nine local government areas in Delta North within the South-South geopolitical zone, with Asaba serving as its capital. He stressed that this framework aligns with the aspirations of the majority of the people in the region.

The former governor also pushed back against suggestions that could alter the status of Asaba as the capital of Delta State, describing such proposals as misguided. He noted that the emergence of Asaba as the state capital was the result of deliberate efforts and historical struggles that should not be disregarded.

Highlighting the importance of consultation, Okowa urged proponents of Anioma State to engage broadly with stakeholders and ensure that any proposal reflects the desires of the people. He warned that pursuing the agenda without adequate consultation could lead to division and derail the process.

“It’s important that when we are pursuing something, we must be in touch with our people and understand what the majority wants,” he said, adding that unilateral approaches could lead to misguided decisions.

Okowa concluded by reiterating that while the creation of Anioma State remains a legitimate aspiration, its realization will depend on a unified position between the people of the region and the government.

He maintained that only a collective and well-timed effort can make the proposal achievable.