Why Anioma State Public Hearing Is Holding In Uyo, Not Asaba —Senator Ned Nwoko

By Daniel Dafe

Senator Prince Ned Nwoko, representing Delta North, has given reasons why the Anioma State public hearing is holding in Uyo, not Asaba.

In a statement on Tuesday, the lawmaker said that there have been questions, concerns, and observations regarding the venue of the South-South public hearing on the proposed creation of Anioma State — particularly why it is being held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, rather than Asaba, the capital of Delta State and the heart of Anioma land.

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Senator Nwoko said that, he would have preferred Asaba as the host city “not only for its symbolic significance but also to enable easier and fuller participation of Anioma people in this critical constitutional process,” saying that the choice of venue was not made by him or by any single state actor.

According to him, “it was a decision taken by the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, which functions independently of regional or state-specific preferences.”

He continued: “For this round of constitutional review public hearings, the committee adopted a zonal approach by selecting one state from each of the six geopolitical zones to serve as central venues. For example:
• Enugu will host the South-East,
• Lagos will host the South-West,
• Uyo will host the South-South,
• Bauchi will host the North-East,
• Minna will host the North-Central,
• and Kaduna will host the North-West.

This arrangement, he said “is aimed at streamlining logistics, ensuring adequate security, and facilitating regional representation — even though it may not always serve the local sensitivities of specific communities like ours.”

“Still, this does not in any way reduce the urgency, legitimacy, or justice of our demand for the creation of Anioma State. Our cause remains strong — grounded in equity, historical identity, and our right to fair representation within the Nigerian federation,” he opined.

Furthermore, he assured his people that he will be present in Uyo “to speak clearly and forcefully on behalf of Anioma,” just as he called on all Anioma sons and daughters, traditional rulers, civil society organizations, youth leaders, professional groups, and all well-meaning citizens to mobilize and participate actively in the hearing.”

“Our presence and unified voice will send a clear and compelling message to the nation,” the senator averred.

Continuing, he stated that the journey to the creation of Anioma State is not without its challenges, adding: “But with resolve, unity, and persistent engagement, we will achieve this long-deserved goal. Anioma has earned its rightful place as a federating unit in the Nigerian nation.”