Okowa made the remarks on Tuesday while addressing stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oshimili South Local Government Area, as part of ongoing political consultations ahead of his reported ambition to contest the Delta North senatorial seat in the 2027 general elections.
During the engagement, the former governor alleged that Nwoko was pursuing a plan to align Anioma with the South-East geopolitical zone, a move he said would diminish the current status of Asaba as the capital of Delta State. He described such a proposal as misguided and unacceptable to the people of Delta North.
According to Okowa, the people of Anioma are united in their demand for the creation of a distinct state within the South-South geopolitical zone. He explained that the proposed Anioma State is expected to comprise the nine local government areas in Delta North, with Asaba serving as its administrative headquarters.
“There have been misconceptions and misrepresentations in the media regarding Anioma State,” Okowa said, insisting that no indigene of Anioma is opposed to the creation of the state under the South-South framework.
The former governor expressed concern over what he described as attempts to alter the established status of Asaba, noting that the city’s emergence as the capital of Delta State was the result of significant political effort and historical struggle.
In an apparent reference to Senator Nwoko, Okowa cautioned against initiatives that could undermine that legacy. “An Asaba daughter fought for us and today we have Asaba as headquarters. Someone who does not understand how it came about now wants to wish it away. That is unwise,” he stated.
Okowa also criticised what he described as a lack of broad consultation in Nwoko’s approach to the Anioma State campaign. He stressed that any credible push for state creation must be rooted in inclusive dialogue and reflect the collective will of the people.
He emphasised that the process of creating a new state in Nigeria is complex and requires extensive stakeholder engagement, legislative backing, and constitutional compliance. As such, he warned against unilateral actions or narratives that could create division within the region.
The former governor further questioned the timing of Nwoko’s advocacy, pointing out that the legislative process for state creation is not currently at a decisive stage. He cautioned against raising public expectations prematurely or presenting proposals that may not align with established procedures.
Okowa urged political actors and stakeholders in Delta North to remain united in their pursuit of Anioma State, noting that internal disagreements could weaken the region’s case at the national level.
He reiterated that the aspiration for Anioma State remains strong among the people but must be pursued collectively and strategically, with alignment among leaders, community representatives, and relevant authorities.
Political observers say the exchange highlights emerging divisions among key figures in Delta North over the direction and framework for the proposed state creation. While the idea of Anioma State has long been part of regional discourse, differing views on its structure and geopolitical alignment continue to generate debate.
As of the time of this report, Senator Ned Nwoko had not issued an official response to Okowa’s comments. However, analysts expect the issue to remain a subject of political discussion in the lead-up to the 2027 elections.
The development also underscores the broader significance of state creation debates in Nigeria, where questions of identity, resource control, and political representation often intersect.
For now, Okowa’s remarks signal a call for cohesion among Anioma stakeholders, as the region seeks to advance its longstanding demand within the framework of Nigeria’s constitutional and political system.
