UYO, Nigeria — Senator Ned Nwoko has responded to growing public concern over the decision to hold the South-South public hearing on the creation of Anioma State in Uyo, Akwa Ibom, rather than in Asaba, Delta State — the cultural heart of Anioma land.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the Delta North senator acknowledged that the venue choice has raised “valid questions,” especially given Asaba’s strong cultural and symbolic ties to the Anioma cause.
“I, too, would have strongly preferred Asaba as the host city,” Senator Nwoko said. “Not only for its symbolic significance but also to enable easier and fuller participation of our people in this critical constitutional process.”
However, he clarified that the decision was not made by him or any state official. It was made by the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, which is responsible for organizing all constitutional public hearings nationwide.
The senator explained that the committee selected one state per geopolitical zone to host the hearings. In this arrangement:
- Uyo was chosen for the South-South
- Enugu for the South-East
- Lagos for the South-West
- Bauchi for the North-East
- Minna for the North-Central
- Kaduna for the North-West
Nwoko said this was done to help with logistics, ensure security, and give each region a voice in the process, though he admitted it may not favor all local communities equally.
“Even though it may not always serve the local sensitivities of specific communities like ours, the aim is to streamline the process and ensure balanced participation,” he said.
Despite the location setback, Senator Nwoko emphasized his strong commitment to the Anioma State cause, which he described as a call for justice, equity, and recognition of Anioma’s historical identity.
He urged all Anioma people — including traditional leaders, civil society groups, youth organizations, and professionals — to show up and actively participate in the hearing in Uyo.
“I will be present in Uyo to speak clearly and forcefully on behalf of Anioma,” he assured. “Our presence and unified voice will send a clear and compelling message to the nation.”
Nwoko concluded by calling for continued unity and determination from the Anioma people. He expressed confidence that with persistence, their dream of having a state of their own will be achieved.
The proposed Anioma State would be carved out of the existing Delta State, and is part of ongoing discussions about restructuring Nigeria’s federal system. These talks focus on granting more autonomy and fair representation to different regions.
For many Anioma indigenes, the push for statehood is about having a stronger political voice and getting better access to development opportunities.
“Anioma has earned its rightful place as a federating unit in the Nigerian nation,” Nwoko declared.
The public hearing in Uyo, Akwa Ibom, will be a crucial moment for the Anioma movement to present its case at the national level.
This story is important because it shows how political decisions like creating new states can affect people’s identity, culture, and development. Even though the hearing isn’t happening in their hometown, the Anioma people are being encouraged to stay involved and make their voices heard—something every citizen, especially the youth, should learn from.
