ASABA — A powerful movement of Anioma women has taken to the streets to declare that the creation of Anioma State is a “collective mission” that will finally bring peace of mind and cultural respect to Igbo-speaking communities across Delta and Edo states.
The demonstrators, who marched through major parts of Delta North, emphasized that the proposed state is not just about a new boundary, but about a long-overdue reunion. Central to their demand is the inclusion of Igbanke and other Ika-Igbo communities currently situated in Edo State, who have long sought to join their kinsmen in a unified Anioma structure.
A Home for Igbanke and Ika People
For the people of Igbanke, the push for Anioma State is seen as a “Zion Train”—a path out of political marginalization in Edo State. Community leaders argue that Igbanke is culturally and linguistically identical to the Anioma people, and their current administrative placement in Edo’s Orhionmwon LGA has left them feeling like “strangers in their own home.”
“Anioma is here to stay,” one of the women leaders declared during the march. “We want a state where our brothers in Igbanke, our people in Ika, and every Igbo community in this axis can live without being disrespected or told they don’t belong. This is about our dignity as a people.”
The Legislative Push in Abuja
The movement has gained significant steam in the National Assembly, spearheaded by Senator Ned Nwoko. The proposed state, which would have Asaba as its capital, is being positioned as the most viable candidate for a sixth state in the South-East region to address the current geopolitical imbalance.
While there are ongoing debates about whether the new state should remain in the South-South or move to the South-East, the grassroots sentiment is clear: the cultural fusion of the “Anioma nation” is non-negotiable. Proponents like Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu have even suggested a “fusion” model to ensure that all Igbo-speaking enclaves are properly captured in the new constitutional map.
Restoring Peace of Mind
The women emphasized that the current “scattered” nature of Anioma communities across two different states has hindered development and made governance difficult. By bringing Igbanke and Ika together under one umbrella, they believe they can create a stable, peaceful environment where their traditional institutions are honored and their political voice is amplified.
As the constitutional review process continues, the message from the Anioma heartland is louder than ever. From the streets of Asaba to the farms of Igbanke, the cry is the same: the Anioma mission is a journey toward home, and there is no turning back.
