Senator Ned Nwoko, representing Delta North Senatorial District, has said that genuine peace and stability in Nigeria’s South-East region can only be achieved through the creation of an additional state and the release of detained Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
Speaking during a television interview on Sunday Politics monitored in Abuja, the lawmaker argued that both steps are crucial to correcting long-standing feelings of marginalisation and injustice among the Igbo people.
‘Perceived Injustice Fueling Agitation’
Nwoko, who chairs the Senate Committee on Niger Delta Affairs, said the lingering insecurity and agitation in the South-East are rooted in structural imbalance and political neglect.
“The problem in the South-East has to do with perceived injustice by successive governments,” he said. “What needs to be done is the creation of a new state to make up the number to six, and 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.”
He explained that every other geopolitical zone in the country has at least six states, except the South-East, which has only five — a situation he described as “unfair and constitutionally unbalanced.”
Push for Anioma State
The senator, who has been championing the creation of Anioma State from the present Delta State, said the move is not only necessary for equity but also to give the Igbo-speaking communities of Delta a stronger voice in national affairs.
According to him, Anioma — comprising nine local government areas in Delta North — shares cultural, linguistic and historical ties with the South-East and therefore deserves to be recognised as part of the region.
“The creation of Anioma State will correct the historical injustice against the South-East,” he maintained. “It will also promote balanced representation, economic growth and unity.”
Nwoko disclosed that he has sponsored a bill in the Senate to actualise the new state, adding that about 85 senators have already endorsed the proposal.
He said the initiative has been presented to the Senate Committee on Constitutional Review and expressed optimism that President Bola Tinubu would approve it if passed by the National Assembly.
“The President understands justice and fairness,” Nwoko said. “Approving Anioma State will be the best gift to the Anioma people and the entire Igbo nation.”
Call for Nnamdi Kanu’s Release
On the issue of IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu, who has been in detention since 2021 on terrorism-related charges, the senator said his continued incarceration serves no national interest.
“Nnamdi Kanu’s detention has become a symbol of injustice,” he said. “His release will open the door for dialogue and healing. Once he is released and the people see that government is fair, peace will naturally return.”
Nwoko stressed that reconciliation and inclusion are more effective tools for peace than prolonged confrontation. He therefore urged the federal government to consider Kanu’s release as part of a broader peace process for the South-East.
Equity, Representation and Development
The lawmaker further argued that the creation of Anioma State would not only restore balance to the geopolitical structure but also stimulate regional development.
He listed the area’s vast agricultural potential, oil and gas resources and strategic location as strong economic justifications for statehood.
“Anioma State will be viable,” he said. “We have fertile land, rich natural resources, and industrious people. Creating the state will attract investments and development that have long eluded the region.”
Mixed Reactions
While many stakeholders have praised Nwoko’s proposal as bold and visionary, others have expressed caution, citing the complexity of state creation and the sensitive nature of Kanu’s detention.
Constitutional experts note that establishing a new state requires a constitutional amendment, two-thirds approval by both chambers of the National Assembly, and consent of affected states and local governments — a lengthy and politically demanding process.
Similarly, security analysts warn that the release of Nnamdi Kanu must be carefully managed to avoid sending the wrong signal to violent elements, though they agree it could ease tensions if handled through a peace accord.
The Road Ahead
Nwoko said he remains optimistic that both proposals will gain momentum as national leaders recognise their potential to restore calm and confidence in the South-East.
“We cannot achieve peace through force alone,” he said. “It is through fairness, dialogue and inclusion that we will finally heal the wounds of the past.”
The senator urged South-East leaders, traditional rulers and youth groups to support the call, emphasising that peace in the region will benefit the entire nation.
Conclusion
Senator Nwoko’s twin proposal — the creation of Anioma State and the release of Nnamdi Kanu — has reopened national debate about equity, justice and stability in Nigeria’s federation. Whether the federal government and the National Assembly will embrace both ideas remains to be seen, but his message is clear: peace in the South-East, he says, depends on fairness and inclusion.