|By Chinwendu Nwani
A chieftain of Ohanaeze Ndigbo and Chancellor of the International Society for Social Justice and Human Rights (ISSJHR), Omenazu Jackson, has criticised Hope Uzodinma, Governor of Imo State, over alleged moves to undermine the agitation for the creation of Anioma State.
In a statement, Jackson described the demand for Anioma State as non-negotiable, insisting it is rooted in justice, identity, equity, and the need to correct what he called a long-standing structural imbalance affecting the Igbo nation.
“The Anioma question is not negotiable; it is rooted in justice, identity, equity, and the urgent need to correct a structural imbalance deliberately imposed on the Igbo nation,” he said.
He maintained that Anioma people in Delta North are Igbo by ancestry, culture, and tradition, stressing that political and colonial boundaries cannot erase their identity. According to him, decades of geopolitical restructuring, especially in the post-civil war era, have deepened their marginalisation.
Jackson also raised concerns over what he described as attempts to promote an alternative “Anim State,” warning that such a proposal lacks historical and cultural legitimacy. He argued that the move is driven by narrow political interests rather than the collective aspirations of the Igbo people.
“Any agenda that prioritises personal ambition over collective identity is not progress, but a dangerous distraction,” he added.
Making a case for Anioma State, Jackson said its creation would reunite a people divided by administrative boundaries, strengthen the political relevance of the Igbo nation, and expand its economic and geographic influence.
He further noted that the proposed state would improve access to economic opportunities, particularly through the River Niger, while enhancing the bargaining power of the Igbo within Nigeria’s federal structure.
Describing the agitation as part of a broader historical struggle for recognition and inclusion, Jackson said the movement represents a continuation of efforts by past generations.
“Anioma State is not just a political aspiration; it is a declaration of justice, a reaffirmation of identity, and a defining step toward securing the future of Ndigbo,” he stated.
He urged Igbo leaders, socio-cultural organisations, and stakeholders to remain united and resist any attempts to derail the Anioma State project.
