Okowa Slams Ned Nwoko Over Anioma State Plan, Rejects Move to Shift Region to South East

Political tension is rising in Delta State as former governor Ifeanyi Okowa openly criticised Senator Ned Nwoko over the ongoing debate surrounding the proposed creation of Anioma State.

Okowa made his position known during a meeting with All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders in Oshimili South Local Government Area, where he addressed growing political discussions ahead of the 2027 elections.

The former governor rejected suggestions that Delta North supports relocating Anioma State into the South East geopolitical zone, insisting that the long-standing aspiration remains firmly within the South-South structure.

According to him, the envisioned Anioma State would comprise nine local government areas and retain Asaba as its capital, a position he described as the collective will of the people.

“There’s been a lot of misconceptions… the Anioma that we seek is made up of the nine local governments in the South South geopolitical zone with Asaba as headquarters,” Okowa said.

Without directly naming Nwoko in parts of his remarks, Okowa accused some political actors of pushing a personal agenda on the issue, warning that such an approach could distort long-established regional agreements.

He argued that the choice of Asaba as capital was the result of historical decisions and collective struggle, and should not be altered unilaterally.

“Somebody who doesn’t even understand how it came suddenly wants to wish away that headquarters. It’s terrible. It’s unwise,” he said.

Okowa further insisted that state creation efforts must be driven by broad consultation rather than individual ambition, stressing that unity and consensus are critical in achieving political restructuring.

The former governor maintained that Anioma State remains a valid aspiration but should be pursued through coordinated political engagement rather than what he described as “a one-man approach.”

He added that the timing of renewed agitation should also be carefully considered, noting that legislative processes for such proposals are already at an advanced stage.

The remarks highlight deepening political divisions within Delta North ahead of future electoral contests, where state creation debates are increasingly intersecting with senatorial ambitions and party alignments.