Momentum is building for the creation of Anioma State as the Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, alongside 89 other senators, have pledged their support for the proposed new state, which would be carved out of the present-day Delta State.
Speaking at a high-level consultative meeting with stakeholders from Delta North Senatorial District on Friday in Abuja, Senator Barau assured the delegation that the 10th Senate is committed to addressing the yearnings of Nigerians for equity and balanced representation through state creation where necessary.
“Anioma has a valid historical, ethnic, and constitutional claim,” Senator Barau stated. “With 89 senators already aligning with the idea, we believe the conversation around Anioma State is no longer just emotional — it is constitutional, political, and morally compelling.”
The push for Anioma State has gained new momentum in recent months, driven by renewed lobbying from political leaders, traditional rulers, and socio-cultural organizations across Delta North. Advocates argue that Anioma, a predominantly Igbo-speaking region, has long been marginalized and deserves autonomous statehood for balanced federal representation and administrative efficiency.
Former Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, and Senator Ned Nwoko, a vocal supporter of the initiative, were present at the meeting. Nwoko emphasized that the Anioma people have waited too long and have consistently met constitutional criteria for state creation, including demonstrated cultural identity, economic viability, and wide regional support.
The Constitution Review Committee of the National Assembly is expected to include the Anioma State proposal in its upcoming deliberations. If passed by two-thirds of both chambers of the National Assembly and ratified by the required number of state assemblies, Anioma could become Nigeria’s 37th state.
Analysts say the strong Senate support, especially from the Deputy Senate President, places the proposal in a favorable position ahead of constitutional review debates slated for later this year.
