THE CASE FOR ANIOMA STATE

 The Anioma project is a pathway to strengthening the Igbo position within the Nigerian equation, argues OMENAZU JACKSON

I write today not out of mere concern, but from a position of deep anger, conviction and historical responsibility. The sustained and calculated attempt by some people to undermine the legitimate and historic demand for Anioma State is not only provocative but also a direct affront to the interest of Ndigbo. It is an insult to our collective intelligence, our shared heritage and the sacrifices of our progenitors who inhabited our lands before us.

The Anioma question is not negotiable. It is rooted in justice, identity, equity and the urgent need to correct a structural imbalance deliberately imposed on the Igbo nation.

For decades, Ndigbo have endured fragmentation across Delta, Rivers, Edo and beyond. Yet, we have remained resilient. The Anioma people are Igbo—by blood, by culture, by ancestry and by destiny.These ties predate colonial rule and were sustained for centuries. However, the administrative restructuring of Nigeria, particularly in the aftermath of the Nigeria Civil war resulted in their separation from the core. This separation did not erase identity and no artificial geopolitical boundary can erase this truth.

It is therefore both shocking and suspicious that what is being subtly promoted in some quarters is not Anioma State but an alternative construct, by the name “Anim State.”

The question to be asked boldly is : Why Anim instead of Anioma State?

Let us not deceive ourselves. The misguided quest for Anim State is not about Igbo interest. This is about personal political ambition driven by sheer greed and selfishness. 

 The fundamental problem with Anim State is that it does not emerge from a coherent historical narrative. It is not anchored in a distinct identity that commands broad consensus among the people it purports to represent. It is an artificial construct, one that raises more questions than it answers. From a strategic standpoint, Anim State offers little in terms of advancing the collective interest of Ndigbo. 

Anioma State, on the other hand, represents real substance, real value and real progress:

It will reunite a major segment of Igbo people artificially separated since the Nigerian Civil War. It will significantly increase the Igbo population base, strengthening demographic relevance with four million people. It will expand the geographical footprint of Ala Igbo and unlock vast human and natural resources for economic growth.

It will also strategically position Igbo land for access to the sea through the River Niger, opening new frontiers for commerce and industrialization and add 7000 Sq miles to the land mass. 

At a time when Muhammadu Buhari once dismissed Igbo land as “a dot in the map,” it is both illogical and dangerous to pursue policies that further divide rather than expand that “dot.”

We must expand and not shrink, unite—not fragment.

The Anioma project is a pathway to strengthening the Igbo position within the Nigerian equation. It enhances viability, bargaining power, and national relevance. Anything contrary is a regression.

 The quest for the creation of Anioma State is about heritage and sacrifice.

My grandfather resisted British colonial intrusion into our autonomous community. During the horrors of the Nigerian Civil War, when our humanity was queried, my father and mother provided refuge and care to displaced Ndigbo and over 230 orphaned children. They went on to establish one of the earliest orphanage homes east of the Niger—an act of selfless service recognized with a medal from UNICEF.

 I must commend Ohanaeze Ndigbo for its principled and unwavering support for the creation of Anioma State. Its position is firmly rooted in its constitutional vision, which recognizes the broader framework of seven Igbo-speaking states within its cultural jurisdiction. The realization of Anioma State is therefore a critical step toward achieving a balanced and equitable structure for Ndigbo.

Anioma State is not just about numbers—it is about strength, viability, and strategic expansion. It represents the emergence of a vibrant, economically viable, and culturally grounded state that will significantly enhance the collective capacity of Ndigbo within the Nigerian federation.

I also commend the Governors of Ebonyi, Abia, and Anambra States for placing Igbo interest above narrow considerations and for demonstrating leadership anchored on unity and long-term vision.

I call on Ohanaeze Ndigbo, traditional rulers, political leaders, and all well-meaning Ndigbo to rise and resist any attempt—internal or external—to derail the Anioma project.

Chief Jackson writes from Abuja