Senator Ned Nwoko, the distinguished lawmaker representing Delta North Senatorial District in the Nigerian National Assembly, has issued a compelling call for restorative measures to address the persistent unrest plaguing the South-East geopolitical zone of Nigeria. In a candid appearance on Channels Television’s flagship program, Sunday Politics, which aired on the evening of Sunday, October 26, 2025, Nwoko articulated that the root cause of the region's instability stems from a deep-seated perception of injustice and systemic marginalization inflicted upon the South-East by successive federal administrations in Nigeria. His remarks underscore a broader narrative of regional inequity that has fueled agitation, insecurity, and socio-economic discontent for years.
Nwoko, a prominent advocate for structural reforms, emphasized that peace remains elusive in the South-East primarily due to these historical grievances. "The problem in the South-East has to do with the perceived injustice by successive governments," he stated unequivocally during the interview. He posited that the Federal Government holds the key to unlocking lasting tranquility in the area by tackling two pivotal issues head-on: the expeditious creation of Anioma State and the unconditional release of Nnamdi Kanu, the embattled leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Elaborating on his prescription for peace, Nwoko asserted, “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.” This dual approach, according to the senator, would not only rectify longstanding imbalances but also assuage the frustrations that have manifested in various forms of unrest, including the controversial sit-at-home orders and sporadic violence attributed to separatist elements.
At the heart of Nwoko's advocacy is the proposed Anioma State, which he envisions carving out from the existing Delta State to serve as the sixth state in the South-East zone. Currently, the South-East comprises five states—Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo—making it the zone with the fewest states in Nigeria's federated structure. In contrast, other geopolitical zones boast six or more: the North-West has seven (Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara), the South-West has six (Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, and Oyo), the South-South has six (Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, and Rivers), the North-Central has six (Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, and Plateau), and the North-East has six (Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba, and Yobe). This disparity, Nwoko argued, perpetuates political and economic inequality, as the number of states directly influences federal allocations, representation in the National Assembly, and developmental opportunities.
The senator highlighted how this imbalance exacerbates feelings of exclusion among South-Easterners. Fewer states mean fewer senators, fewer House of Representatives members, and a diminished share of the national cake distributed through the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC). Politically, it translates to reduced influence in decision-making processes at the federal level. Economically, it limits infrastructure projects, job creation initiatives, and resource control mechanisms that other zones enjoy in greater measure. Nwoko's push for Anioma State is thus framed as a corrective measure to foster equity and inclusivity within Nigeria's federalism.
Turning to the second pillar of his peace blueprint, Nwoko was unequivocal in his condemnation of Nnamdi Kanu's detention. “Nnamdi Kanu is being held unjustly. His incarceration is the main reason for the continued unrest in the South-East,” he declared. Kanu, a British-Nigerian activist and radio broadcaster who founded IPOB in 2012, has been a polarizing figure in Nigeria's socio-political landscape. IPOB, under his leadership, has campaigned for the secession of the South-East and parts of the South-South to form the independent Republic of Biafra, invoking memories of the 1967-1970 Nigerian Civil War.
Kanu was initially arrested in October 2015 on charges including treasonable felony and terrorism. He jumped bail in 2017 amid a military crackdown on IPOB, which the Nigerian government proscribed as a terrorist organization that year. After fleeing to the United Kingdom, Kanu was dramatically re-arrested in Kenya in June 2021 through an extraordinary rendition operation and extradited back to Nigeria. Since then, he has been detained by the Department of State Services (DSS) in Abuja, facing a litany of terrorism-related charges at the Federal High Court. His trial has been marred by delays, adjournments, and legal battles, including appeals to the Supreme Court, which in December 2023 ordered his continued detention while upholding the revocation of his bail.
Nwoko's assertion that Kanu's imprisonment is the primary driver of unrest aligns with sentiments echoed by numerous stakeholders in the South-East. Several political heavyweights, traditional rulers, and civil society groups have repeatedly appealed for his release via a political rather than judicial resolution. Figures such as South-East governors, Ohanaeze Ndigbo (the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization), and even some federal lawmakers have argued that freeing Kanu would de-escalate tensions, dismantle the enforcement of unauthorized sit-at-home orders (often blamed on IPOB enforcers), and pave the way for dialogue on underlying grievances.
The senator's optimism regarding the Anioma State proposal is buoyed by recent developments in the legislative process. The National Assembly, in its ongoing constitutional review exercise, has established a dedicated committee to evaluate requests for new states, with a focus on the South-East to address the zonal imbalance. Nwoko revealed that approximately seven proposals are under consideration, including Anioma. “The National Assembly has set up a committee to decide which state to choose from the South-East. There are about seven proposals, and we are one of them. At the public hearing in Enugu, we presented our case, so I am almost certain that we will be chosen,” he said confidently.
The public hearing in Enugu, a key event in the state creation roadmap, allowed proponents like Nwoko to showcase the viability of Anioma. The proposed state would encompass nine local government areas fromily from Delta North: Aniocha North, Aniocha South, Ika North-East, Ika South, Ndokwa East, Ndokwa West, Oshimili North, Oshimili South, and Ukwuani. Advocates argue that Anioma possesses the cultural, historical, and linguistic affinities with the Igbo heartland, despite its current placement in the South-South zone. The name "Anioma" itself is an acronym derived from Aniocha, Ndokwa, Ika, and Oshimili—reflecting the diverse yet cohesive ethnic composition.
Nwoko's appearance on national television serves as a strategic platform to galvanize support for these initiatives. By linking state creation with Kanu's release, he presents a holistic framework for reconciliation. Addressing the state imbalance would signal the Federal Government's commitment to fairness, while Kanu's freedom could neutralize a symbolic flashpoint of rebellion. Together, these steps could dismantle the narrative of marginalization that IPOB and similar groups exploit to recruit and mobilize.
The broader implications of Nwoko's proposals extend beyond the South-East. Nigeria's state creation history—beginning with 12 states in 1967, expanding to 19 in 1976, 21 in 1987, 30 in 1991, and the current 36 in 1996—has often been a tool for political balancing and conflict resolution. The last creation under General Sani Abacha's regime aimed to appease various ethnic demands. In the current Fourth Republic, calls for additional states have resurfaced amid agitations for restructuring, resource control, and true federalism.
Critics, however, may question the feasibility and potential divisiveness of these moves. Creating Anioma could spark boundary disputes with Delta State, which would lose territory and revenue. Kanu's release might be seen by security hawks as capitulation to terrorism, potentially emboldening other separatist movements like those in the South-West or North-East. Yet, Nwoko counters that inaction perpetuates a cycle of violence, economic sabotage (through disrupted trade and markets during sit-at-homes), and human rights concerns.
In conclusion, Senator Ned Nwoko's intervention on Sunday Politics represents a clarion call for pragmatic federalism. By advocating for Anioma State's creation to equalize zonal representation and Nnamdi Kanu's release to heal ideological wounds, he offers a roadmap to peace that transcends rhetoric. As the National Assembly deliberates, the nation watches whether these measures will bridge divides or merely highlight them. With the South-East's contributions to Nigeria's economy, intellect, and culture undeniable, resolving its grievances could strengthen national unity rather than fracture it. Nwoko's certainty in the efficacy of his twin solutions invites stakeholders—government, legislature, judiciary, and civil society—to act decisively, lest the shadows of injustice continue to eclipse the region's prospects for harmony and progress.
