Anioma State Creation: Bill nears 3rd reading, Odogwu remains confident of success

Chairman and Director-General of the Anioma State Creation Movement, Chief Godfrey Odogwu, has expressed strong confidence that the proposed Anioma State will soon become a reality. Speaking to reporters on the progress of the bill, Chief Odogwu highlighted the collective resolve of the Anioma people, stating that they want their state created "regardless of where it is zoned." Chief Odogwu credited Senator Ned Munir Nwoko with driving the renewed push for state creation. He recalled a historic summit in August 2024, where over three thousand Anioma leaders and citizens unanimously declared their support for the cause. “Since then, we have seen the Bill for the creation of Anioma State pass through the first and second readings at the Senate,” he said. He described a successful public hearing outing at both Ikot Ekpene and Enugu, where the committee presented and defended its memoranda powerfully. "I believe the Constitutional Amendment Committees of both chambers received our presentations well. Even if it is only one state they will recommend for creation, it will be Anioma State," he declared. Chief Odogwu lauded Senator Nwoko's resilience and commitment, noting that "Fainthearted men would have given up long ago." He revealed that over ninety senators are in full support of the bill, even before the critical third reading, which the committee is now anticipating upon the Senate’s resumption from recess. Addressing the sensitive issue of geopolitical zoning, Chief Odogwu stressed that the Nigerian Constitution does not recognise such zones. He clarified that "these zones are political arrangements put together by political parties to help them equitably distribute party offices." He dismissed concerns about Anioma being zoned to the South-East, arguing that the region would benefit more and that the Anioma people are focused on getting their state first. Chief Odogwu also refuted claims that Anioma leaders were not consulted, confirming that Senator Nwoko made wide consultations and that the Asagba of Asaba, HRM Prof. Epiphany Chigbogu Azinge, and the Dein of Agbor are co-chairmen of the Technical Committee. He said the committee's job is to continue to call for unity among all Anioma sons and daughters to ensure the project's success.