FOR the life of Nigeria as an independent country, 1960, the history is fairly recent. Though the journey through time had been chequered, nothing these past 64 years, next October 1, had been so traumatic, including the chilling bloodletting of the Biafra -Nigeria war (1967-1970), and the challenge of reconciliation more than 50 years after the war, to erase our individual and collective memories.
And because of this, it is likely that many adults amongst today’s Nigeria’s population of mainly young people will recall some fundamental events in the first republic between 1960-1967. One of such events was the creation in August 1963 of the defunct Mid-West region from the defunct Western region. Before the Mid-West region, there were the Northern region, Eastern region and the Western region which were in many respects the arbitrary creations of the British colonisers in the 1940s.
So, historically, again if our memories do not play pranks on us, the Mid-West region was the first and sadly only self-governing territory within Nigeria that was created by popular demand and through a democratic process. The Mid-West region came to be essentially because of the political power play between the Eastern and Northern regions on the one hand, and the Western region on the other hand. But it was also founded to satisfy the political and developmental aspirations of the peoples of the Benin and Delta provinces of the Western region.
It then means that since 1963 all the governing enclaves we have come to know now as states had been created arbitrarily by a succession of military regimes. And the last time states, six in number were created, was in 1996 by the former head of state, the late Gen. Sani Abacha. It’s instructive that more than 60 years after the creation of the Mid-West region through a plebiscite, the strongest candidate for state creation in our new democratic setting is the demand for Anioma state. The Anioma area was part of the Benin/Delta province which became the former Mid-West region. Ahead of the civil war it was reverted to a province, and later Edo and Delta states. The Anioma people are in present day Delta State.
Early last month, Senator Ned Nwoko who represents Delta North in the Senate promoted and caused a bill for the creation of Anioma State to be tabled on the floor of the senate. In his private and public life, Nwoko has not been associated with tardiness. So it was no surprise that the contents of his bill for the creation of Anioma State appeared to be attended by forethought, political deftness, requisite consultations, rigour and vigour.
The timing of his move was deft, and could in future provide a lesson for the masterclass for political gladiators. Senator Nwoko is on the cusp of using one pebble or stone to kill two birds at once. In my neck of the woods, and indeed his, Nwoko ‘choro iji ofu okwute/aku gbagbue nnunnu abuo’. That will be a feat in any clime and the possibility in this instance is rapidly unfolding before our eyes.
The agitation for the creation of Anioma State or autonomy for the people is not a fly-by-night struggle nor a new idea prompted by such other demands in the South East geo-political zone or in other zones. The Anioma issue has been raised at any given opportunity and at every appropriate forum in this country in the last 50 years, possibly more.
That may explain why during the 2014 National Political Conference (CONFAB) the need for the creation of Anioma State was raised yet again. And it resonated with the majority of participants. The Conference was organised by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) government of President Goodluck Jonathan. He lost power to the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC’s) Muhammadu Buhari the following year. The APC and Buhari ignored the recommendations of the Conference which included creating at least one more state in the South East to bring it at par with other regions except the North West which has seven states.
As we stated above, Senator Nwoko has brought a new and refreshing angle to the demand for the creation of Anioma State. His argument is virtually unassailable to the fair-minded, and his deft linkage of Anioma to the predominantly Igbo states of the South East is a masterstroke. His argument that when created Anioma State will fill a yawning gap in the South East was thoughtful. Presently, state creation is skewed against the South East. It has five states. The South West, South South, North Central, North East and South West have six states each. The North West has seven.
Nwoko argues in his bill for the creation of Anioma State that there are presently nine local government areas in Delta state whose indigenes are Igbo and whose language is Igbo. Additionally, these council areas are by geographical proximity within the orbit of the so-called mainland Igbo states of the South East. In terms of culture, tradition and names the people of Anioma cannot be said to be less Igbo.
The creation of Anioma State and the inclusion of the same as part of the Igbo nation will cure a number of ills that have been afflicting this country for many years. First, it will be a homecoming for the Igbo in the present Delta State back to their kith and kin under a big tent. It will curb the lingering fear of marginalisation of the people in their current location. The Anioma people, with a state of their own, will feel safer in the midst of their brethren than elsewhere in spite of the scare-mongering by those who are committed to throwing a wedge between, and among, Igbo people.
Furthermore, fairness and equity will be served when Anioma becomes the sixth state of the South East. It brings the zone at par with other regions bar the North West. Going by Nigeria’s extant geo-political structure, the South East with Anioma, will enjoy greater representation in terms of number in the federal House of Representatives, the House of Senate, the federal cabinet and sundry appointments that require the application of the principle of federal character.
Also, the issue of revenue allocation from the federation account will be positively impacted. If revenue drives development, then the expectation will be that the improvements in the provision of public infrastructure and human capital formation will begin to manifest at a faster pace in the emerging new South East. The sense of marginalisation and victimhood in the region will abate when the people of the area notice that all sections of the Nigerian society are being treated fairly and equally.
Every argument that can be used against the creation of Anioma State is moot. When aggregated, the population of the Igbo people in the about nine local government areas that will be involved compares with the population of some states in our country. Furthermore, the population and landmass of the proposed Anioma State will be bigger than some standalone countries in Africa and in some other parts of the world. And, Anioma State cannot be denied on account of local government areas. It has more than enough.
In terms of economic viability, Anioma State could rank among the top 10 in the country when created. Certainly, Anioma State will hit the ground running because there are already in existence requisite infrastructural facilities and human capital for a smooth take-off. Anioma State is a compelling proposition, an idea which time is now. It need not be put inside the basket of other demands for state creation from other parts of the country. Senator Nwoko made a smart and commonsense proposal which should be supported by all people of good conscience. Multiple demands for new states can be considered when the country decides to move all geo-political zones to be at par with the North West.
Meanwhile, it’s 25 years and counting since the return to rule by civilians in our country. Yet, we are still grappling with the political and governing structures which were arbitrarily created by past military regimes. The states of the federation have remained as created by the military since 1996. Efforts by state governments to create local governments within their domains since 1999 have been shot down and declared illegal by the Supreme Court. Ekiti State was the latest victim. For how long will we hide under the 1999 Constitution to do wrong? Our federal system of government is distorted and looks more like a man with a hunchback. Every level of government is now being accorded the status of a federating unit including council areas. Relying on governing structures created by military regimes which were driven by command and control should by now be concerning for Nigerians and their ruling elite. When people are concerned they take action.
