The Senator representing Delta North, Ned Nwoko, says peace has continued to elude the South-East geopolitical zone due to what he described as “perceived marginalisation” by successive governments.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, the lawmaker argued that the Federal Government can restore peace to the region by taking two key steps: the creation of Anioma State and the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

“The problem in the South-East has to do with the perceived injustice by successive governments,” Nwoko said.

“So, what needs to be done, and it’s one of the reasons I am here today, is the creation of a new state to make up the number to six, and then the release of Nnamdi Kanu.

“By the time you do these two things, I am almost certain that peace will return to the South-East.”

‘Nnamdi Kanu Held Unjustly’

Nnamdi Kanu has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since his re-arrest in June 2021, facing terrorism charges at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Senator Nwoko joined the growing number of voices calling for a political solution to Kanu’s case, describing his continued detention as unjust and the main cause of the lingering unrest in the South-East.

“Kanu is being held unjustly,” Nwoko said, adding that his release would significantly calm tensions and pave the way for reconciliation in the region.

Push for Anioma State

The Joint Committee of the Senate and House of Representatives on Constitution Review recently approved the creation of an additional state in the South-East to balance regional representation.

Nwoko, who is championing the creation of Anioma State out of Delta State, expressed optimism that the proposal would be successful.

“Now, what has happened is that the National Assembly has put together a committee to decide which state to choose. There are about seven states from the South-East, and we are one of them,” he explained.

“At the public hearing in Enugu, we also presented our case, so I am almost certain that we will be chosen.”

Confidence in Tinubu’s Support

The senator expressed confidence that President Bola Tinubu would support and approve the creation of Anioma State, describing it as a significant gesture toward equity and unity.

“It would represent the best gift from the President to the people of Anioma and the Igbo in general,” Nwoko stated.

If approved, Anioma State would become the sixth state in the South-East, addressing long-standing calls for parity with other regions of the country and potentially laying a foundation for lasting peace in the region.

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