THE current wave of agitations for self-determination by various ethnic groups in Nigeria has brought to fore the reality of the contradictions of the Nigerian state. It has brought to the fore the deep seated hatred and lack of trust that exist amongst the various ethnic groups which for ages have been suppressed by various administrations.

The Northern elite believe that there is nothing wrong with the structure of Nigeria as it is. To them, politicians across board have failed to deliver good leadership to the people and that is accounts for the current cry of marginalisation across the country.
For many in Southern Nigeria and Middle Belt, the pseudo federal arrangement which in practice is unitary government exemplified cannot allow the states to actualise their economic potentials and bring the much desired development to the people. For this group, restructuring or true federalism is the solution.
Some groups have persistently called for the restructuring of Nigeria, while in some instances, it has been a call for outright secession.

Leading the call for secession is the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB. The agitation by this group has been so loud that on the 30th of May, 2017 to mark 50 years of the declaration of the defunct sovereign state of Biafra, a sit at home call was made by the group which was highly successful as economic activities in the five South East states of Anambra, Imo, Abia, Ebonyi and Enugu were brought to a halt.

There has been so many reasons advanced for the success of the sit at home campaign. Some felt that the compliance was as a result of the belief in the campaign for the sovereign state of Biafra while others felt that people stayed off the streets for fear of attack by IPOB members; many stayed at home as a mark of respect and remembrance for those who died during the Biafran war which affected virtually every Igbo family. Whatever may be the reason for the compliance, the truth is that on the 30th of May, 2017, the streets of major cities in the South East states were deserted.

The protagonist of this Biafra agitation have in their map included territories in the current South South states of Cross Rivers, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta and Edo state.

Some of the people in these South South states have challenged their inclusion because they felt they were not consulted before the inclusion.
The leaders of this Biafra agitation should note that coercion, dictatorship, authoritarianism and issuance of decrees cannot lead to the desired Biafran State.

The Aniomas of Delta State are among the people included in the map of the proposed Biafra State by the protagonist. At no time were Anioma people consulted on the issue of joining the proposed Biafra State. The people believe in consultation and cannot be coerced into joining a nation they have little or no idea about.

Aniomas are found in nine local government areas of Delta State which make up the Delta North senatorial district and also in Ota and Igbanke in present Orhiomnwon local government Area of Edo State. From historical account, Aniomas migrated from different places including Bini, Igala, Yoruba and Igbo in the South-East and have lived in their present location for centuries.

Most Anioma communities have kings and kingdoms and these kingdoms have existed for centuries. The kings are recognised and command huge respect among their subjects and people. These kings and Chiefs-in-Council are given a pride of place in decision making in the society.

Politically, the Aniomas have over the years been part of the Western Region – Mid-Western State, Bendel and Delta states and have never been part of the Eastern Region. In all these political arrangements, the Anioma people have been given their due recognition. Chief Denis Osadebey was the first Premier of the Mid-Western Region and the current Governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, is a proud Anioma son.

The Aniomas have enjoyed good political and economic relationship with their neighbours in Edo and Delta states with whom they have formed political alliances over the years. The Aniomas have never been together politically with the Igbos of the South East and for any alliance, there is need for high level of consultation and not coercion.

During the Biafran war, Aniomas fought on both sides. There were fighters in the Nigerian Army like Rtd Gen. Godwin Alabi-Isama, Major Pius Eromobor, Major Igboba etc. On the Biafran side were Col. Achuzia, Major Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu, who led the first military coup of January 1966 and who was in detention in Biafran territory when the war broke to mention a few.
Anioma suffered a very high level of casualty during the war because of its location. It was the gateway to Eastern Nigeria from the West which had Lagos then as the federal capital. There were series of battles to control the River Niger bridge.

The loyalty of Anioma people during the Biafran war both ways was questioned.

While the Biafran soldiers saw them as belonging to the Nigerian state and could not be trusted despite the Igbo language they speak, Nigeria soldiers also saw them as Igbos and should be dealt with despite the fact that Anioma belonged to the Mid-Western Region. This wickedness by Nigerian soldiers was exemplified in Asaba and Ishegwu massacre of October 1967.

The region has one of the highest concentrations of human and natural resources. Anioma sons and daughters have excelled greatly in all sectors of the economy and more than capable of managing her affairs. Aniomas have always championed their cause for an independent state. For example, at the last National Confab in 2014, Anioma State was among the few states that was approved for creation. And with the deluge of intelligentsia, nobody can speak for Anioma people better than the Aniomas .

To this end and as a matter of urgency, the Aniomas must do the following: Strengthen its mainstream political/socio-cultural leadership to speak with one voice.

Articulate the genuine interest of the people through widespread consultation among its people – Aniocha, Ika, Oshimili and Ndokwa – to determine what we actually need.
Avoid the mistakes of the past where our people where neither here nor there as experienced during the civil war.

Demand an equitable stake in the affairs of the nation as Anioma in any conference or dialogue that may be called at the federal and state levels for the purposes of restructuring.

The Anioma congress should be re-engineered to include all shades of opinion in Anioma land. Aniomas are stronger as a unit and will present a stronger force than the current dialectic divide of Aniocha, Ika, Oshimili and Ndokwa as the wind of change is so strong that those who are not ready will be blown away.

The recent call for restructuring of the country by former leaders like Gen. Ibrahim Babangida and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is not a coincidence. For Nigeria, the time to restructure has come and we cannot pretend anymore.
Mr. Ifeadi is president of Organisation for the Advancement of Anioma Culture.
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/07/restructuring-aniomas-position/

You want to avoid the mistakes of the past, where you people fought for Nigerian army and Biafra soldiers and you are still expecting Consultation.

You better come and do the needful and belong in a place, please don't come in after the struggle.

The earlier the better

Even the King of Asaba has said that igbo Deltans are igbos. He has even questioned those igbos in Rivers claiming am a Rivers man, that is there any tribe called Rivers?
We are all igbos. And we can't leave without going with you. Take that as a gospel truth

At least, this write up shows clearly that Anioma is a nation on its own and not ready to dance to the whims and Caprices of an overbearing neighbour.

We Aniomas are 100% Igbo's whether we support. Biafra or not take it or leave it .

useless thread

what is the purpose of this thread?

to cause disunity amongst igbos?

as an anioma man I can proudly say I'm igbo

whether you like it or not biafra must come

It's funny when some Anioma's try to say they are not Igbos..then what tribe are you? what language do you speak? I understand the Igbos dialect spoken in ogwashi,Ibuzor,Agbor (to an extent)than Ezza/Izzi spoken Abakaliki..all these unnecessary denial aand claims of Benin no get head..I believe the writer of that article is not the spokesperson for the Anioma's.

seunmsg:
At least, this write up shows clearly that Anioma is a nation on its own and not ready to dance to the whims and Caprices of an overbearing neighbour.

overbearing neighbor called Nigeria

Col. Achuzia is a founding member of IPOB Council of Elders.

Asaba is the third or fourth strongest hold of IPOB in Nigeria.

Thus, it's so naive of any Anioma forum to clamour for some kind of special consultation before making up their mind about Biafra.

You guys had better acted proactively to sway your Nige Delta neighbors.

Your hesitation will do you no good.

And do not forget that the first coup, which had been falsely tagged an igbo coup and is still being used as a justification for the igbo genocide of 1967-1970, was led by igbo soldiers from Anioma.

So your present show of fear, timidity and confusion will only make you more volnerable to those who see you as igbo and give no hoot about your identity crisis.

LUGBE:
You want to avoid the mistakes of the past, where you people fought for Nigerian army and Biafra soldiers and you are still expecting Consultation.

You better come and do the needful and belong in a place, please don't come in after the struggle.

The earlier the better

seunmsg:
At least, this write up shows clearly that Anioma is a nation on its own and not ready to dance to the whims and Caprices of an overbearing neighbour.

While the Biafran soldiers saw them as belonging to the Nigerian state and could not be trusted despite the Igbo language they speak, Nigeria soldiers also saw them as Igbos and should be dealt with despite the fact that Anioma belonged to the Mid-Western Region.

A nation on its own speaking the language of another nation, they are the ones looking for trouble. Let them keep waiting for consultation. They should tell us who consulted the Ngwas, the Anaedo, The Aros etc. If other ethnic groups are talking of consultation it would have been understandable

...identity crisis is as much a problem as I thought earlier.

Newmanluckyman:
...identity crisis is as much a problem as I thought earlier.

Which identity crisis

You mean Afonjas trying to cause division

When it comes to 1966 coup the will call them Igbo's but when it comes their tribe they will say they are not Igbo's , who is fooling who?.
Any way I know the writer just write his mind not collective mind because even col. Achuzie represent Biafra elder in court against Nigeria in Owerri last week. Asaba remains IPOB strong hold, IPOB current african representative remain a delta man till tomorrow, may be the writer should go back and consult his people to tell him their stand, may be he hasn't travel for long to know his peoples position.
The writer suppose ask Ezza & co if they where consulted before joining the struggle

The people's choice can be clearly revealed in a honest referendum.

TruthPower post=58330469] Your mission is highly suspect. The divide and conquer mission has been tried on NL but failed. I am Anioma from Igbuzo and I can authoritatively tell you that me and my people are Igbos. The Niger River runs between Igbo land. Aniomas are Igbos West of the River Niger.

The Restructure and Secession topic I will touch in a different post. However I wonder What is the fear for a Referendum? Don't fear the truth, the power should be with the people.[/quote]

TruthPower:
Your mission is highly suspect. The divide and conquer mission has been tried on NL but failed. I am Anioma from Igbuzo and I can authoritatively tell you that me and my people are Igbos who live West of the River Niger.

The Restructure and Secession topic I will touch in a different post. However I wonder What is the fear for a Referendum? Don't fear the truth, the power should be with the people.

LUGBE:
You want to avoid the mistakes of the past, where you people fought for Nigerian army and Biafra soldiers and you are still expecting Consultation.

You better come and do the needful and belong in a place, please don't come in after the struggle.

The earlier the better

If someone is calling for consultation, what is wrong with consulting.

This attitude of aggression is what is driving all the South South groups away from the Biafra movement.

How can you be claiming that Nigeria as in Hausa/ Yoruba is a bully and now turn around and be using coercion to make smaller groups join a course without a single moment of dialogue.

You guys really and sincerely don't understand why both fringe Igboid groups and minorities are not jumping on the Biafra bandwagon. Rather than just wave it off, why not seek to understand it?

This whole disposition of aggression towards the South South is doing more harm to the Biafra struggle than any Yoruba or Hausa man can do.

BabaRamotu1988:

Warship:


Which identity crisis

You mean Afonjas trying to cause division

Mr. Ifeadi is president of Organisation for the Advancement of Anioma Culture.

Typical ipob miscreants. Instead of commenting on the substance of the writers argument, they will be shouting Afonja up and down. Is vanguard, an igbocentric platform now a medium for Afonja to cause division?

[s]

seunmsg:





Typical ipob miscreants. Instead of commenting on the substance of the writers argument, they will be shouting Afonja up and down. Is vanguard, an igbocentric platform now a medium for Afonja to cause division?

[/s]
Nonsense trash

UNLIKE OTHER IGBO CITIES,WHY IS IT THAT PIGDIN/ENGLISH LANGUAGE IS PREVALENT AND WIDELY SPOKEN IN ASABA?

The problem is that Anioma is not a tribe, it is an area