THE DRUMMER OF ANIOMA STATE OF NED NWOKO (perspective)

The Bill of Ned Nwoko to the Senate propositioning the creation of Anioma State out of Delta did not come to some of us as a surprise. It is a latent idea domiciled in the mind of Anioma leaders and maybe a segment of Ohaneze – dating back to generations. We know they are duplicitous and double faced – but why it took Anioma this long to come out of the closet, is the question in the mind of other groups subsumed in the Delta confederation!

I went through its contents with rapt interest – it asked that on creation, the new state should be added to the existing five in the South East geopolitical zone, to make it six, as obtained in other zones of the country, aside the North West that has seven. The overzealous senator representing Delta North in the Red Chamber of the National Assembly enthusiastically gave several justifications in the demand bill – as widely circulated on the social media X, formerly Twitters.

Anioma could have long actualized the nostalgic dream of joining Igbo mainstream 61 years ago, when in the 1st Republic, the Nigerian Parliament okayed a plebiscite to excise Southern Cameroon from Nigeria – that allowed them join their people in Cameroon. In the same spirit of that plebiscite part of the Western Region was carved out to form the brand new Mid West region in 1963.

The Igbos of Delta had ample opportunity when the distinguished Zik of Africa, was not only the commanding heights of power and influence in Nigeria – but held absolute sway in the affairs of the newly independent nation. Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe with his charms and gift of the gab, was the first indigenous Governor General and first President of the new nation that emerged from the clutches of colonialism. He was swift and nothing was above his reach.

Indeed, it is said that Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe had singlehandedly orchestrated the removal of the peoples of Bini, Estako, Ishan, Urhobo, Itsekiri, Ijaw, Igbo, Nkwani, Okpe, etc. from the strangling vice grip of the oppressive Western Region, led by Chief Obafemi Awolowo, to form the Mid West Region. Honestly, I am forever grateful to Zik for liberating my forebears from the repressive behemoth of that era.

I have seen photographs of my grandfather, Chief Fuludu Bekederemo Ogein JP, decked out in traditional regalia, about to embark on a journey from Kiagbodo town, in the heart of the old Western Ijaw Division to Ibadan, the then capital of the Western Region in 1947, to attend a conference of Chiefs. And I had wondered how the old man survived such energy sapping trips to that far flung city, outside his domain – taking into consideration the kind of roads and means of transportation that existed at the time. It is just difficult to contemplate.

I also learned that Yoruba was the only language adopted in such conferences. So, how was my grandfather able to communicate his views on issues? For he neither had a grasp of the English language nor understood a word in Yoruba. So, Zik did well in emancipating my people from internal colonialism and oppression.

Moving away from the above digression, I remain still very puzzled over why Delta Igbo political heavyweights of the 1st Republic – men in the calibre of Chief Dennis Osadebe, Chief Philip Asiodu, Chief Raphael Nwuchie, Dr. Okonjo, et al and the mainstream Ohanieze Ndigbo, of the era, that prevailed on Zik at the time to create the Mid West, failed to impress it on him of the overriding desire of the Anioma people to join their kith and kin in the Eastern Region?

Were there underlying reasons and interest at the time that over rode Anioma’s quest to return to Zion, which non initiates and outsiders are not let into? Had they asked Zik, without breaking a sweat, he would have done it for them, proto! But they chose to remain in Mid West, and Chief Dennis Osadebe emerged as the first Premier of the new region. After the Premier of the Eastern Region, Dr. Michael Okpara, went from city to city in the new Mid West to demand gratitude for Igbo. This gave Ndigbo two premiers. They were one step ahead of other regions. It was a deft political move to create Mid West – an Igbo annex. Hence, it was the first non Igbo territory overran and occupied by Biafran Forces in 1967.

Be that as it may, Delta Igbo ignored the opportunity of 1963, but then others opened in 1991 and 1996, in the regimes of Babangida and Abacha, yet they still swept the desire under the carpet, only to come out now – when state creation is akin to passing a camel through the eye of a needle. Something definite must be fishy, as a toad never jumps in the day for nothing.

According to Sen. Nwoko, he relied on historical antecedents and other factors, in the proposal, ” Creating Anioma state is not just about increasing the number of states; it is about ensuring fair representation and resource allocation for the South-East.

“The call for Anioma state has widespread support from various stakeholders. The Anioma socio-cultural group, Izu Anioma, and the Pan Igbo cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Indi Igbo, have both been vocal in their advocacy for this cause.

The political class in Anioma, including traditional rulers led by the late Asagba of Asaba, Obi (Prof) Chike Edozien, have also consistently supported the creation of Anioma state. They have held numerous meetings, including discussions with former President Olusegun Obasanjo, to voice their consensus.”

I have no axe to grind with Ned Nwoko for his proposal, nor grudge groups that side with him in the demand for Anioma state. I have read a lot of writings of Anioma Igbo – all bellyaching over been denied consanguineous affiliation with their brothers across the Niger – as if someone held them down. If there is anyone to blame, it is themselves. They consciously shackled themselves to peoples they consider non relatives for over a century. But why?

While elders and leaders of the old Delta Province, to which Anioma never belong, were busy preparing and submitting memorandums for the creation of Delta State from the defunct Bendel. The Aniomas who were in the Bini Province, showed little concern, but waited in ambush to hijack the new state. For reasons best known to them, they never wanted to remain with their long time allies in Edo State.

Without leaders suspecting foul play, when Delta State was eventually created – the state capital was gifted to Anioma – in Asaba, a sleepy rural town, built on a one lane road. Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, gifted the state headquarters to his wife, Maryam, as Herod gave the head of John the Baptist – on frivolous grounds. Anioma celebrates her every year for pulling that stunt at their behest.

The original Delta State capital recommended by the Elders and leaders was Warri, the heart of the new state. Anioma circumvented it with Asaba. They regularly thump their chest for the feat. Asaba is at the edge of the state, less than three minutes drive from Onitsha in Anambra. The equidistant factor was ignored.

Did Anioma wake from the wrong side of the bed – after a bad dream and has become jittery? Does Anioma see the odds not panning in its favour and has become worried of its future in the State? Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori will serve 4 years – luck being on his side, would go for another term.

After which it would be the turn of Delta South for another two terms. Put together Delta North would be in the cooler for 16 years. Those in the vanguard of the Anioma state creation can’t wait. Add to that is the clannishness, nepotism and general maladministration of Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa. Anioma is afraid that the governorship would never come back to them again. They think the Core Delta might keep it permanently, and rotated between the two zones – with Delta North left in the lush.

No one would grudge Delta Central and South if they choose to keep the governor’s seat. Anioma goofed while their son was in power. They encouraged Ifeanyi Okowa to tread the path of arrogance, selfishness and wickedness against the none Ibos. The Owa Alero high priest tenure were years of the locusts for the people of Delta Central and South.

Cataloguing Dr. Okowa’s ill treatment and denial of provisions to both zones would consume barrels of ink. For 8 years, revenue accrual to the state averaged N5 trillion. Apart from Asaba and Delta North, the governor never bothered about other areas. Warri in the South district received no attention from the governor, so did other places in the South and Central. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa could not give credible explanations to how he spent all that money, when Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark CON, questioned his character.

Anioma hailed Ifeanyi Okowa, some even cast him in the image of Moscow’s Royal Tsar – Russian dynasty of potentates ousted in the Bolsheviks Revolution of October 1917. They rolled out drums to let it be known, that Dr. Okowa one of their stock would be the next helmsman of Nigeria, after Alhaji Atiku Abubakir’s presidency. But wishes are no horses. Many of the lachrymose praise singers are now walking with their heads bowed in shame. Power is transient – it resides with no one forever.

The height of any spite or insult is when a pretentious and fawning neighbour invites you to your own dinner table to share your meal – in the course of eating consciously pours spittle on your face and condescendingly laughs at your simplicity.

That is what Sen. Ned Nwoko and his Anioma Igbo co – travellers, chorusing hymnals of exodus to the promise land, depict. The feast in Delta seems to be over, lush vegetations now abound across the Niger. The Core Delta won’t mind if her pretentious, sneaky and double faced housemate chooses to exit. There won’t be love lost.

Ned Nwoko boasted of Anioma being a reservoir of crude oil, an asset they intend taking with them to the new found land. But, really, all the oil in Anioma don’t amount to 45,000 barrels per day in production. Only the Forcados/Ogulagha Terminal in Burutu LGA, Delta state, an Ijaw enclave produces 700,000 barrels per day. When Escravos is not even mentioned.

Lastly, the 9 local government areas in Anioma is another gift of Gen. Babangida to his wife, Maryam for her people. They are neither populated nor the territory of Anioma as large as the others. However, it is all a product of what we complain about so much today: Corruption!

Grade – one Clark
Kiagbodo Town
newpower1307@gmail.com