State Creation: Columnist Warns Against Frivolous Agitations, Calls for Priority on Anioma

By David Odama

Veteran columnist and political analyst, Amanze Obi, has advised the Federal Government and the National Assembly to prioritize addressing the imbalance in the number of states across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones, cautioning that many of the current agitations for state creation are frivolous and divisive.

Writing in his column Broken Tongues, Obi argued that only a handful of state creation demands are credible, stressing that most are being championed without proper consultation, clear delineation, or due regard for the interests of affected communities.

He specifically criticized the agitation for the proposed Orlu—later renamed Anim State—intended to be carved from parts of Imo, Anambra, and Abia States. According to him, although the idea has lingered in public discourse for years, its promoters have failed to properly define boundaries or consult the communities involved.

“The canvassers for the new state should concentrate on the ten local government areas of Orlu zone and exclude Ohaji/Egbema and parts of Oguta LGAs. These communities have long withdrawn their support for the proposal and should not be forced into it,” he wrote, noting that petitions have already been sent to the National Assembly rejecting their inclusion.

Obi emphasized that state creation must be guided by consent, not coercion, warning that annexing unwilling communities would only weaken genuine agitations.

As a way forward, he urged President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly leadership to correct the imbalance in the South East, which currently has only five states compared to six in most other zones, by creating Anioma State and aligning it with the South East.

“Anioma deserves this treatment because its advocates have pursued their agitation with seriousness and clarity, including its rightful grouping as a South East state. If the presidency and legislature address Anioma’s case, they will be righting past wrongs,” Obi stated.

He added that creating Anioma would help heal old political wounds, ease tensions, and set a standard for credible and well-prepared demands for new states.

Obi further dismissed several other agitations as being driven by “expansionists” bent on annexing territories rather than fostering integration, cautioning that state creation should be pursued in the spirit of unity and collective progress, not impunity or coercion.