When the preliminary nod was given to put across a request for another state for the South East geopolitical zone by its delegates to the ongoing National Conference, I knew that apart from the project being shot down by unfriendly delegates, the project could die when it comes to choosing the location for the new state.
The decision of the political restructuring committee to demand for another state in the South-East, will still be discussed and voted on at plenary session of the conference and after that, there is still a long way to go before the zone will be asked to decide where the new state would be carved out. But the ruckus of where the new state should be created from is already in a fervent contest.
Some of those already proposed are, Urashi state, Adada state, Aba state, Igbo-Etiti state among others. Igbo speaking part of Delta State is not left out of the agitation as they have proposed the creation of Anioma state in the past but were met with indifference from both government and the governed.
This opening for possible creation of another state in the South-East has renewed the call for creation of Anioma state putting them at loggerheads with their brothers from South-East geopolitical zone calling for the same thing. It is now going to be a question of which territory is more viable economically and socially.
As an individual I believe that Anioma state is more economically, socially and politically viable even though I am from Anambra State. I support the creation of Anioma state if an agreement is reached for some obvious reasons. Delta North, which is clamouring for Anioma state, is bigger, geographically, than other areas calling for same, even though landmass does not determine the survival of a people.
Going from Asaba to Emu Ebendo could take as much as one and half hours and from Asaba, which obviously would be the capital, to Igbo Igbanke and then to Kwale has more commercial semi-urban towns than any of the other areas in south east clamouring for state. With Oshimili North and South, Ndokwa North and South, Ika North and South, et al, Anioma has more local governments than its rivals for state creation. In Nigeria where natural resources are valued more than human resources, Anioma communities of Kwale, Osisa, Abho, Okpai all have more oil and gas deposits than the entire Abia State.
They already have a well-built capital in Asaba with an airport and a good number of higher institutions like the polytechnic in Ogwashi, Collage of Education in Agbor and Asaba, and the second campus of the present state university.
Similarly, one cannot but notice the rate of real estate development going on in Asaba the capital of Delta State, which has over flowed, into neighbouring communities like Okpanam.
Though there are not many factories, entertainment and tourism industries can make up for them as Asaba and its environs are home to Nigeria’s multimillion-dollar movie industry.
Other areas of the South-East craving for the new state have the right to and are also viable, but the most viable should have it. The part of Enugu State seeking for Adada state can only boast of University of Nigeria Nsukka, UNN and college of education at Eha-Mufu. Economically, they are locked out from thriving centres of present Enugu State, as they are far away from the capital city.
Then the part of Abia State calling for creation of Aba state has only the city of Aba, which is the most, neglected and abandoned city in sub-Saharan Africa. Having been neglected by successive governments, the area, dominated by Ngwa people, is greatly deprived in developmental facilities.
If one observes critically, it becomes obvious that the other areas in the South-East vying for the new state are politically weak. A lot of arguments have been raised against creation of Anioma state by some people in the South-East. Some have argued that Aniomas are Igbos in South-South and should remain like that and not lay claim to the South-East region. The question is whether Anioma is geographically part of the South-East, especially when river Niger is removed from the mindset of critics?
Others have used the excuse that since some Anioma people claim they are not Igbos, just like the Ikweres of Rivers State, they cannot be part of the South-East. Again, I see that as a lame argument as Onitsha and Ogbaru people in Anambra State, where I come from, usually call other parts of Anambra “Umuigbo” meaning Igbo people.
Ogbaru specifically referred to themselves as “Olu” people but they are Igbos and we cannot deny that fact. We have heard of Ngwa, Abriba, Mbaise, people existing in Abia and Imo States. Are we going to say they are not Igbos simply because they refer to themselves with those names.
All these are intrinsic nomenclature forming part of what we know as the Igbo nation. Creation of this state, when possible, should be chosen by facts and not sentiments. Anioma as a state will be more economically viable than present Abia State without Aba City, not to talk of a portion of the state or others like Urashi and Adada. Let us agree and do the right thing by creating a state that can survive without bringing shame to South-East.
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