Igbo Elders Council Endorses Creation of Anioma State

The United Igbo Elders Council (UNIEC) Worldwide has officially written to President Bola Tinubu, expressing their strong support for the creation of Anioma State. The Council, in a statement titled “United Igbo Elders Council, UNIEC, Worldwide continues to unequivocally advocate and endorse the creation of Anioma State,” emphasized that while they are not opposed to the creation of other states in the Southeast, Anioma State should be given priority.

The statement, signed by the Director General, His Lordship Justice Alpha Ikpeama, and Director of Media and Publicity, Prof. Obasi Igwe, along with eleven other prominent members, highlighted the unique circumstances surrounding the Anioma people and the need for their political recognition.

The Council noted that the Igbo people have been significantly marginalized in the Nigerian political landscape, and the creation of Anioma State is crucial to rectify this imbalance. While they are not against the creation of other states such as Aba, Adada, Etiti, Njaba, Orashi, and Orlu, they believe that Anioma State should take precedence.

“In advocating for Anioma State, we are not disregarding other calls for statehood in the Southeast; however, we firmly believe that the creation of Anioma State is of utmost priority,” the statement reads.

The UNIEC also mentioned that they had publicly endorsed the creation of Anioma State at the Asaba Stakeholders Summit on August 31, 2024, where they sought widespread consent for the proposal. They further expressed confidence that the creation of Anioma State would bring significant development to the region, creating two poles of development and benefiting both the Anioma people and the broader Nigerian nation.

The Council has appealed to President Tinubu to give favorable consideration to the creation of Anioma State, joining the Anioma people in their legitimate aspirations. They also called on Nigerians of goodwill to support the initiative.