The agitation for the creation of Anioma State, which would carve out the Anioma people from Delta State, has sparked diverse reactions. One voice that stands out is that of the revered traditional ruler, the Dein of Agbor, Benjamin Ikenchuku Keagborekuzi I, who has consistently opposed the grouping of Anioma into the South East region of Nigeria. His opposition is rooted in cultural, political, and geographical reasons, as well as the desire to maintain the distinct identity of the Anioma people.
The term ‘Anioma’ is an acronym derived from the four original local government areas that made up Anioma: (A) for Aniocha, (N) for Ndokwa, (I) for Ika and (O) for Oshimili, while the M and A were deliberately added to the acronym for ease of pronunciation. As gathered, the term was coined in 1951 by Chief Dennis Osadebay, one of the founding fathers of Delta State, and has remained the preferred indigenous name by which the people collectively refer themselves to. Anioma is located in the West Basin of River Niger, Delta State of Nigeria, and occupies a landmass of about 6,300km². It is a region that is also largely blessed with oil deposits particularly Ndokwa land, Akumazi, Umunede, Ute-Okpu, Ute-Erume, Ute-Ogbeje.
The Anioma people are ethnically Igbo but have evolved distinct traditions that blend elements from the western Delta, Edo, and Igbo cultural spheres. The Dein of Agbor has always highlighted the importance of preserving this distinctiveness. His opposition to aligning Anioma with the South East is based on the belief that such a move would blur the rich diversity of the Anioma heritage.
The cultural ties between the Anioma people and their neighbors in Edo and Delta are crucial to their identity. Unlike the states in the South East, Anioma has more fluid and historical connections to its neighboring regions in Delta and Edo, as seen in their traditional institutions, intermarriages, and shared customs. This uniqueness, according to the Dein, would be overshadowed if Anioma is politically categorised as part of the South East.
Politically, the Dein of Agbor’s opposition also stems from the geographical placement of Anioma. The region, located on the western bank of the River Niger, has historically been part of the Mid-Western Region and later Bendel State, now Delta State. Aligning Anioma with the South East, which is located east of the River Niger, presents logistical and administrative challenges.
Moreover, Anioma shares more political alignment with the South-South region, which includes Delta, Edo, Rivers, Bayelsa, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom States. The Dein has pointed out that the strategic interests of Anioma, in terms of political representation, economic development, and access to resources, are better served within the South-South region. Categorizing Anioma into the South East could marginalise the region politically and economically.
To the highly revered monarch, Anioma’s categorisation into the South East also poses the risk of political marginalisation. The South East already comprises five states, Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo, and has a well-established political structure. Anioma’s integration into this region may result in the dilution of its voice within the political landscape. As part of the South-South, Anioma is already a key player, especially in Delta State, where it has produced influential political figures, including former state governors and federal representatives.
The Dein’s stance emphasises that Anioma would face stiff competition for political relevance if categorised into the South East. In contrast, within the South-South, Anioma enjoys better leverage and representation, particularly in Delta State, where its political contributions are more significant.
The Dein of Agbor also raises concerns about the economic implications of Anioma’s inclusion in the South East. Anioma is a vital part of Delta State’s economy, contributing significantly to agriculture, commerce, and industry. The region’s proximity to the Niger Delta has fostered its involvement in oil and gas activities, which are more aligned with the South-South’s economic framework.
Placing Anioma in the South East could disrupt these economic ties, particularly in terms of revenue sharing, infrastructural development, and resource management. The Dein’s vision is to see Anioma flourish within an economic system that respects its contributions and ensures equitable development. The South-South’s focus on oil wealth and its position as Nigeria’s economic powerhouse provide Anioma with more opportunities for growth and prosperity.
Ultimately, the Dein of Agbor’s opposition to categorising Anioma into the South East boils down to maintaining Anioma’s identity. The region’s people have strived to assert their uniqueness despite being surrounded by larger ethnic groups. The Dein believes that being part of the South East, where the dominant Igbo identity often overshadows smaller groups, could lead to the erosion of Anioma’s distinctiveness.
Anioma’s cultural diversity is a source of pride, and the Dein’s position reflects a desire to safeguard that heritage for future generations. He advocates for Anioma to remain in a region where its identity is respected and celebrated, rather than absorbed into a larger entity where its voice may be diminished.
The Dein of Agbor, Benjamin Ikenchuku Keagborekuzi I, continues to stand as a vocal advocate for the preservation of Anioma’s cultural and political identity. His opposition to categorizing Anioma into the South East is grounded in a vision of maintaining the distinctiveness of his people, ensuring political representation, and fostering economic development. As the debate over the creation of Anioma State and its regional alignment continues, the Dein’s perspective serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in state creation and regional integration in Nigeria. The future of Anioma rests not only in its political alignment but in the preservation of its rich cultural heritage and identity.
Unarguably reasserting his position on the issue, the monarch at the Stakeholders Summit organised by the lawmaker representing Delta North at the National Assembly, Senator Ned Nwoko, in Asaba, Delta State capital, recently, in his speech thanked Senator Nwoko for the move and reminded him of the need to keep politics out of the Anioma State Movement, stressing the “importance of the state and how it is a dream for all ethnicities (Ika, Ndokwa, and Aniocha-Oshimili) within the Anioma hegemony.”
He also advised the lawmaker to keep the movement for creation of the State from disintegrating Nigeria considering the move is being hijacked by some loyalists of separatist group, IPOB, seeking to create their own country out of Nigeria.
This further remphasised the stance of Ika people since Sen Ned Nwoko proposed the bill for creation of the State;
Onu Ika, the top socio cultural and political organisation representing the Ika Ethnic Nation- “The state will only be considered if it is in the old Midwestern region/ South South Region, and not the South East.”
Ikoro Agbor, Agbor Youths group said “Agbor Kingdom has no shared history, governing commonality, or association with the Igbo, before or after British Colonialism and Agbor Kingdom remain United in the quest for Anioma State”
The monarch also warned against grouping Anioma as one of the states in the South-East geopolitical zone upon creation, noting that Anioma, particularly Ika people would prefer to remain as part South-South region.