By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu
Creating New State and Releasing Nnamdi Kanu Will Restore Peace in Nigeria’s South-East — Ned Nwoko
Senator Ned Nwoko, who represents Delta North in the Nigerian Senate, has said that the long-standing crisis in the South-East region can only be resolved if the Federal Government takes decisive steps to address what he described as years of political and economic marginalisation.
Speaking during an interview on Sunday Politics, the senator argued that two actions would restore calm to the region, the creation of one more state to balance the number of states across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones, and the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
According to him, the South-East has continued to suffer exclusion because it is the only region with five states, while others have six or more.
Nwoko, who is leading the campaign for the creation of Anioma State from the present Delta State, said this imbalance has contributed to the feeling of injustice among the Igbo people.
“The problem in the South-East stems from perceived injustice by successive governments,” he said. “What needs to be done is the creation of a new state to make it six like other regions, and the release of Nnamdi Kanu. Once these are done, peace will return to the South-East.”
The agitation for the creation of an additional state in Nigeria’s South-East dates back to the early 1990s, following the last major state creation exercise under General Sani Abacha’s regime.
While other zones were given six or more states, the South-East remained with five; Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo. This disparity has fuelled repeated calls for the inclusion of an additional state to ensure equity in political representation and resource allocation.
In recent years, the South-East has also witnessed unrest linked to the activities of IPOB, which seeks the independence of Biafra.
The group’s leader, Nnamdi Kanu, has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since June 2021, facing terrorism charges at the Federal High Court in Abuja. Several political and traditional leaders have appealed to the Federal Government to consider a political resolution to his case.
Adding his voice to these calls, Senator Nwoko said Kanu’s continued detention is unjust and remains a major source of instability in the region.
“Nnamdi Kanu is being held unjustly, and his release will open the door for dialogue and reconciliation,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Joint Committee of the Senate and House of Representatives on Constitutional Review has approved the proposal for an additional state in the South-East. Nwoko expressed optimism that Anioma State would be chosen, noting that it has met all necessary constitutional requirements.
“We presented our case at the public hearing in Enugu, and I am almost certain we will be selected. I also believe President Bola Tinubu will support it, as it would be a symbolic gesture of unity and inclusion for the Igbo people,” he said.
Nwoko emphasised that the creation of Anioma State and the release of Nnamdi Kanu would not only ease political tension but also strengthen Nigeria’s unity by addressing one of the country’s most persistent regional grievances.
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