By Abba -Eku Onyeka
Abuja
Prince Orji Nwafor-Orizu, Principal Partner at Friends Chambers and constitutional lawyer, has voiced strong support for the creation of Anioma State, a proposal moved by Senator Ned Nwoko of Delta North.
In a recent press interview at his chambers, Nwafor-Orizu described Anioma as “the second state that must be created” for the sake of regional integration and to correct a long-standing imbalance in Nigeria’s geopolitical structure.
He pointed out that while other zones have six states each and the North West has seven, the South East has only five. “This means that the South East is being deprived of three senators, ministers, and revenue allocation,” he said.
Addressing concerns that a new state would strain national resources, he argued that the move is about correcting a historical injustice, not merely adding a state. “The South East has been shortchanged for too long, and it’s time we addressed this imbalance,” he stated.
Nwafor-Orizu welcomed the backing of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who expressed support for Anioma State at the recent South South All Progressives Congress congress in Asaba. He called Akpabio’s support crucial, noting that as leader of the South South Zone, his position will help advance the agenda.
He warned that failure to create Anioma State would leave the South East deprived of rightful representation in the Senate and ministerial appointments, with far-reaching implications for the region’s development.
Dismissing claims that the demand is a political ploy, the lawyer insisted it is a matter of fairness and regional integration. “We are not asking for special treatment, but for what is rightfully ours,” he said.
According to him, the next steps require securing the support of the Senate, the House of Representatives, and the Nigerian people, since state creation is a constitutional amendment. He stressed that public sensitization and media involvement are critical to building that support.
Nwafor-Orizu clarified that the concept of a “normal state” is not new and does not set a precedent for endless state creation. The goal, he said, is to address a specific issue and ensure parity.
He listed the benefits of Anioma State as increased Senate representation, more ministerial slots, and greater revenue allocation, all of which would promote regional integration and positively impact national development. While the timeline remains uncertain, he urged Nigerians to see the proposal as an opportunity to promote fairness across the federation.
