₦airaland Forum

Gerhards:
Those trying so hard to rewrite history are the unity beggars and everybody know who they are, watch them attack Ned in few minutes

Laptop boyz over to you 😁😁

That’s what is most funny about the entire thing.

All the attacks on Ned Nwoko’s push for Anioma has come from online non-entities.

No person of repute or substance has gone on National Television to challenge any of the things that Ned has been saying since the day he first introduced the Anioma State creation bill. None!

fergie001:
I don't think he is saying things people do not know already but we know been Governor of the State if created is his prime motive.

Not bad for a politician.

Well, he’s saying what a lot of people have been saying for a long time now but coming from him gives it more force of authority.

For years I’ve said similar things here on Nairaland but you see people trying to rewrite history either out of deliberately maliciousness or sheer ignorance. That’s why I love what Ned is doing.

And I don’t really care what his motives are, what I know is that his course is just.

OfoIgbo:
Anioma bu igbo.

Anybody that doesn't like this truism can go and hug a transformer

You are right.

The only people you see fighting against what Ned Nwoko is doing are people that are not even from Anioma. Revisionists who think they are more Catholics than the Pope i.e they know Anioma more than Anioma people themselves.

You see how all the initial resistance and issuing of statements have disappeared.

And whatever Ned is saying is also true of Ikwerre people in Rivers State. But for now, let’s focus on Anioma first.

”Meanwhile, those with poor knowledge of history are trying to make falsehood the dominant narrative…”

The above is Sen. Ned Nwoko reechoing what some of us have always said here but we were called ‘expansionists’ or ‘attachee by force’.

If anybody ever told me that the quest for Igbo unification will be spearheaded by an Anioma man, and not a mainland Igbo, I wouldn’t have believed it.

Right now, the two most important Igbo men alive are Peter Obi and Ned Nwoko.

ANIOMA: HISTORY, IDENTITY, EQUITY AND THE QUEST FOR STATEHOOD

The Anioma people spread across nine Local Government Areas are geographically nestled in Delta North senatorial district. We share a long history and rich cultural ties with the Igbos. So, we are Igbos in every sense: by language, tradition, blood and identity.

Yet, arbitrary distortions of colonial boundaries, tragedy of civil war and manipulations of post-war politics and narratives have exposed Anioma to double burden: the pain of denial and the weight of marginalisation. Albeit, our spirit is unbroken.

Today, as the representative of Anioma in the 10th Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I affirm with courage the reawakening that: Anioma is Igbo; Anioma deserves justice; and Anioma state must be created. This is not a plea. Not a supplication, it is a demand inspired by truth, fairness and consciousness of true federalism.

ANIOMA BEFORE COLONIAL BOUNDARIES

Anioma has always been part of the great Igbo nation; and it is our cherished heritage and reality. Our communities in Oshimili, Aniocha, Ika and Ndokwa share ancestral trade and commerce, cultural, linguistic and geographic bonds with Igbo people across the Niger.

On trading characteristics, our market days are the same: Eke, Orie, Afo and Nkwo. Similarly, our cultural affinity is undeniably intertwined as our masquerades, from Mgba to Okanga, mirror those in Onitsha, Nsukka, Awka and Owerri.

Furthermore, linguistically, our names; Okonkwo, Nwafor, Nwanze, Odili and Nkemdilim among others are the same nomenclatures you find across the Igbo nation. Morphologically, words such as bia (come), nua (welcome) also show profound connections and linguistic leaning between Anioma dialects (i.e. the dialects of the people of Delta North Senatorial District) and Igbo language, proving beyond doubt that Anioma people are part of the greater Igbo ethnolinguistic family.

In addition, the people of Delta North have always been variously described as Midwest Igbo, Ika Igbo and Bendel Igbo. Even the government of Delta State, in its official ethnic classification, describes us as Igbo.

Today, we are often described as Delta Igbo, a description that reflects our location within Delta State but does not erase an incontrovertible truth that we are part of the Igbo group. So, our actuality is constant: Igbo is Igbo.

On geography, the map of Igbo land itself testifies to this reality. Asaba, Ibusa, Ogwashi-Uku, Illah, Agbor, Kwale, Aboh, Ndoni and other Anioma communities appear firmly within the boundaries of Igbo nation. Geography confirms what history and culture already prove: Anioma is Igbo land.

However, the British colonial administration, driven by convenience rather than culture, commerce and not consanguinity, placed Anioma in the Western Region while our tribesmen remained in the East. This artificial separation, erected by imperialism, became the seed of distortion, one that would later be watered by war and politics.

ANIOMA IN THE THROES OF WARS

The Ekwumeku Colonial Resistance War (1883–1914)

Anioma’s history of resilience did not begin in modern times. Between 1883 and 1914, our people waged the Ekwumeku Resistance War, a guerrilla uprising against British colonialism that lasted over 31 years.

The Ekwumeku revolt staged by Anioma chiefs and able-bodied young men was a peculiar war, marvelous in strategy and awe inspiring in scope, From Ibusa to Ogwashi-Uku, Issele-Uku to Ubulu-Uku, Anioma warriors resisted foreign domination with courage and unity. During this protracted conflict, many British soldiers and administrators were annihilated making Anioma one of the fiercest centres of anti-colonial resistance in West Africa.

The Ekwumeku War is evidence that Anioma has never surrendered its identity, no matter the force of oppression. That a group of people armed with local weapons could wage and sustain war for 31 long years, showed marked bravery and height of nobility. A historic movement that partly laid the pathway for decolonization and eventual independence of Nigeria.

Anioma in the Civil War and the Asaba Massacre

The Nigerian Civil War (1967–1970) harmed Anioma forever. Our land was caught in the middle, a frontier of brutal contest between Biafran forces and the federal army; and Anioma paid a heavy price.

The darkest memory remains the Asaba Massacre of October, 7, 1967. When federal troops entered Asaba, the people, dressed in white and chanting “One Nigeria”, came out seeking peace. Instead, they were rounded up. Men and boys were separated from women. In cold blood, they were executed. Hundreds were killed. With far-reaching consequences, it was a bizarre occurrence, the deadliest and most atrocious manifestation of the Nigerian civil war.

Historians like Elizabeth Bird and Fraser Ottanelli have documented how this was not just mass murder but an attempt at ethnic cleansing to punish Anioma for being Igbo. Families were wiped out and entire lineages destroyed. A premeditated slaughter of innocent Anioma civilians and the trauma continues to echo in the hearts of our people.

Beyond Asaba, Anioma communities also suffered untold horrors. In Isheagu, Kwale and several Ndokwa towns and villages, federal troops carried out brutal reprisals. Homes were burned, women were assaulted, young men were executed and communities were left in ruins.

Towns like Ibusa, Ogwashi-Uku, Issele-Uku, Ubulu-Uku and many others across Aniocha, Oshimili, Ika and Ndokwa bore the weight of this tragedy. Anioma bled not because of its geography, but because of its identity: Igbo.

The Question of Ika Igbos During the Civil War

Even during the war, the dilemma of Anioma was clearly acknowledged. A Biafran-era newspaper article, titled “What Happens To Ika Ibos?”, captured the precarious fate of Anioma’s future in the Mid-West. It asked a critical question: “Where do the Ika Ibos go now that the Biafra Republic has been proclaimed?”

The article warned that Anioma, like the Ewe in Togo and Ghana or the Luo in Kenya, risked being trapped in perpetual minority status, exploited and marginalised. It argued that Anioma’s natural destiny and protection lay in merger with the Republic of Biafra. This was a recognition, even in the heat of war, that Anioma’s destiny was tied to Igbo identity. This historical evidence underscores that Anioma’s struggle with identity is not an invention of modern politics, but a reality deeply rooted in history.

The Burden of Post-War Denial

When the war ended, Anioma entered a new struggle, the battle of survival within politics. To be accepted in the Mid-West and later Bendel State, many leaders muted or denied Anioma’s Igbo heritage. To say “We are not Igbo” became a shield against suspicion and exclusion.

However, this identity denial was occasioned by fear, a forced survival strategy; and narratives were created around this identity denial, which is not the truth; because in reality, the people of Delta North Senatorial District (Anioma) remained Igbo in their homes, marriages, dialects, festivals and spirit.

Meanwhile, those with poor knowledge of history are trying to make falsehood the dominant narrative, despite the overwhelming historical evidence from trade and commerce, culture, language, geography and civil war. So, the attempt to erase the Igbo identity of the people of Delta North (Anioma) is a silent form of ethnic cleansing; not just about humans, but of history and memory.

ANIOMA’S ENDURING TRUTH

No decree, no propaganda and no political calculation can change who we are. Anioma is Igbo. Anioma is Delta Igbo today, but more importantly, Anioma is part of the larger Igbo nation. As such, Anioma has always been Igbo. The evidence is in our bloodline, our tongue, our customs and our names. The proof is in our kinship ties, our history of migration and our shared culture. The truth has outlived war, overtaken propaganda and survived generations.

Today, our children must not inherit denial. They must inherit truth. They must grow up knowing they are Anioma Igbo, proud and unbroken.

EQUITY AND ANIOMA QUEST FOR STATEHOOD

The creation of Anioma State is not just a regional demand; it is both a historic correction and a political necessity. So, it is a matter of national justice. The South-East is the only zone with five states, while others have six or seven. This imbalance translates into fewer senators, fewer representatives, fewer local governments and less federal allocation. Anioma, as an Igbo homeland west of the Niger, is the natural candidate to correct this injustice. Therefore, the creation of Anioma state will fulfil Nigeria’s promise of equity and fairness.

Anioma State will not divide Nigeria; it will strengthen it. It will not isolate Anioma; it will integrate Delta North Senatorial District fully into the federation. It will reinforce its Igbo lineage and identity; and affirm it on Nigeria’s map.

Anioma State as a Development Imperative

Anioma is strategically placed. With Asaba as its capital, Anioma State will stand as a bridge between East and West, North and South.

Geographically, Anioma is centrally positioned, hosting Asaba, already the capital of Delta State and a gateway city with direct access to the Niger Bridge and the South-East. Also, economically, Anioma is rich in fertile land for agriculture, with immense potential in rice, cassava, palm produce and fisheries. Again, Anioma’s natural resources position it as one of Nigeria’s strongest energy bases as six out of the nine Local Government Areas in Anioma host huge oil and gas companies, particularly in Ndokwa, Ika and Oshimili zones. Ndokwa alone is home to some of Nigeria’s largest gas reserves, including the Okpai Power Plant, which supplies electricity to the national grid. Therefore, our economic contributions to Nigeria are tremendous and undeniable.

In addition, Anioma is a reservoir of human capital. Anioma people are highly educated, entrepreneurial and globally connected. From academia to business, politics and sports, media and entertainment, Anioma sons and daughters have distinguished themselves. While on culture & tourism, Anioma boasts of a rich cultural heritage, historic festivals and landmarks like the River Niger; making it a hub for cultural diplomacy and tourism.

All said, Anioma State creation will unlock these potentials, attract investment, create jobs and empower the next generation. This will not only honour the past but also secure the future.

Anioma’s Role in Nigeria’s Unity

Anioma has always been a bridge. We are Igbo by heritage but have lived as neighbours with Urhobo, Itsekiri, Ijaw, Isoko, Edo and Yoruba. Anioma’s unique position makes our people natural peacemakers, connectors and unifiers. Therefore, the creation of Anioma State will strengthen inter-ethnic cooperation, not weaken it.

Also, creating Anioma State will honour our martyrs, heal our wounds, preserve our heritage and secure our children’s future. As such, Anioma State will be: a symbol of reconciliation; a final healing of the wounds of war; a recognition of Anioma’s sacrifices; and a step towards greater national balance. More profoundly it will consummate the vision and legacy of the legends who pioneered the movement for the creation of Anioma state beginning from 1954.

MY STAND

Anioma people are not to be erased or silenced; rather they are to be recognised, celebrated and established. Anioma people deserve a state; Anioma State is the future and the time is now.

As Senator representing Delta North, I state it clearly that: I support the creation of Anioma State; and it is not a privilege to be begged for, but a right long denied and justice long delayed.

Again, my quest for ANIOMA is not personal or political. The sustained marginalisation of Anioma people and struggle for self identity since the colonial times, rekindled my agitation for the creation of Anioma state.

It is a stoic desire for a new dawn of Anioma renaissance.

Please join me.

Distinguished Senator Prince Ned Munir Nwoko

https://x.com/prince_nednwoko/status/1967527045526938069?s=46&t=2AB_wrBea-oBYJf5ZCFV-A

The Supreme Court has ruled several times that parties should be allowed to decide who leads them. And that issues of party leadership are non-justiciable.

But you still see lower courts entertaining suits on party leadership.

The lower courts no longer obeys judicial precedents?

Dem never register una, una don dey issue statement.

Una no go shut up make INEC register una finish before una begin talk plenty before the devil in Aso Rock will command INEC to not register you guys.

Make una use una number 6.

With APC almost constituting 2/3rd of the Senate, it’s time for Tinubu to start strategically selling Nigeria to himself and his cronies.

Wish should never have allowed this disaster get into power.

I blame the cabals who switched Peter Obi’s mandate for this kleptomaniac.

RemoveKebab:
I would like an igbo presidency because Nigeria has not been too fair with them, we can't keep hanging on to the past.

But not with this guy
He's looking too desperate and that's a signal for revenge mission plus his supporters are making it obvious.
Dude is not looking for nation building or development he's on a mission and it's will be ugly for everyone.

Yeah, you would prefer Rochas Okorocha or Orji Uzor, right?

You people are very funny.

fergie001:
So you were bought to be saying sorry every week ba?
Next week, another sorry...

Yeye players like Fernandes, Luke Shaw and co don't need to say sorry, if they had been saying sorry for every loss, it will have been uncountable.

Better respect yourself and go to work.

🤣🤣🤣

Man U is threatening my mental health aswear.

plessis:
Onana has gone. Curious to see who manyo fans will blame.

I’m blaming Amorim.

He should have started Casemiro in this game.

See how our midfield collapsed.

Angelfrost:
Unfortunately, my club lost yesterday to Fulham.

Meanwhile, Man City is winning today by at least 2 nil... No jokes.

How would you make a joke and say “no jokes”?🙄

United is winning this.

Only God knows why Amorim didn’t start Casemiro in this game.

We need to beat Man City to register our push for the title this season.

Oracle411:
A lot of people do not know the difference but;
Generally, the left wing is characterized by an emphasis on "ideas such as freedom, equality, fraternity, rights, progress, reform and internationalism" while the right wing is characterized by an emphasis on "notions such as authority, hierarchy, order, duty, tradition, reaction and nationalism".


Where do you Belong?
LEFT WING OR RIGHT WING

I’m Farrrrrrrrrrrrrr Right!

Why?

Because I do not agree with any of the ideologies of the Left Wing.

Women should forever remain women.

Men should forever remain men.

Marriage is an institution of man and woman.

I don’t mind abortion but I don’t think it should be legalized as if killing babies is a fun thing. You can call me Moderate Prolifer.

There are only two sexes, male and female, and they are assigned at birth by God. Any other thing is mental illness.

I can go on and on and on.

Sanwolu no go fold ke?

The next is the enwe at NIDCOM that blocks every critic at random, she will soon have her day in court.

The recognition of David Mark as ADC chairman is the only thing that is seemingly against APC that INEC has done since 2023.

And the only reason they recognized David Mark is because they looked for a loophole that they could hold onto and deny him recognition and couldn’t find any.

The next should be the recognition of Nenadi Usman as the Chairperson of Labour Party.

Yakubu should use that one as his send off gift.

madridguy:
This is a pure lie. Bring out the tweet and let people with plain mind see it.

Which people do you think were being referred to here?

This woman that retweeted a post that called Igbos monkeys?

If she thinks Igbos are monkeys, convince me that she’d care about the welfare of monkeys.

She’s a bigot extraordinaire and neither the fake Ohaneze nor the original one should bother themselves on her.

Let them have their moment. It’s their time.

That over 20,000 people turned up for the event during work our is all you need to know that unemployment is real in Nigeria.

Well, goodluck to Hilda!

Peter Obi and Jonathan are playing ping pong with the brain of Tinubu supporters 🤓

Everybody loved Obi until he said he wanted to be president.

They know Obi is good.

We know Obi is good.

We know that they know that Obi is good.

But bigotry, tribalism and selfish interest we never allow them admit it.

But make we dey go front first.

OredoPikin:
igbos will have their time
i am an obi supporter myself and from south south
u see, the moment GEJ declare, Obi wont run cos it will be waste of effort
south south will naturally support GEJ. u see all those SS governors in APC, the way they will deliver for GEJ, tinubu will be on coma for the rest of life.
let put emotion aside, whether GEJ run or not, it will be difficult to convince the north that OBI will do one term.
El rufai have already said, he doesnt believe.
the north dont care about good governance, they just want to be in power.
so they rather support tinubu that have only 4yrs than supporting OBI
Igbos need to wait till 2039 to try again and they need to start building that bridge now

Thunder fire any bridge.

Obi will on the ballot in 2027 even if GEJ runs 7 times.

Let everything kukuma scatter.

OredoPikin:
Obi will not win 2027 election except there will be a massive appeal by northern politicians to even believe his one term promise
Jonathan is the surest way to remove Tinubu.
APC/Tinubu will never see anything to campaign with against him.

Will the votes of the north alone make him president?

He’s going to need southern votes too, especially his native Southsouth and Southeast. Now, do you think Southeast will vote for Jonathan like this? What is in it for us?

If Jonathan ends up contesting, it would be viewed as betrayal by Ndigbo after all the support we gave him even when the consequence of such support was to be treated as non-citizens by Buhari.

If after seeing all those things he thinks the only way to pay Ndigbo back is to stand in the way of their son’s presidency then we’ll live to see how that pans out.

Like I said before, if Jonathan ends up contesting this election, I will agree with Obasanjo’s designation of him as clueless; in fact a buffoon.

He thinks this is America where he’d do a Donald Trump?

Or Ghana where he’d do a John Mahema?

In those countries they didn’t have alternative to the aforementioned men but we do in Nigeria.

In Nigeria, people prefer Peter Obi to Jonathan and Jonathan should read the room and understand this much except he’s too clueless to do that.

Tell Jonathan to sit his butt down and remain a statesman than going to ruin the brand he’s gained trying to contest what he will not win.

What legal minds have said about the IREV that I agree with is that the Electoral Act 2022 and INEC Guidelines may have made provisions for the IREV but one thing that eluded all of us is that the same law didn’t state consequences for when the IREV doesn’t function or has ‘glitch’.

This loophole was what APC lawyers exploited at PEPT and as painful as it was/is, they are right.

When we eventually have a president who cares about reforms, one of the things that would have to be included in our electoral law would be the invalidation of an election where the IREV fails to function and also some years of jailterm for any electoral officer who helps rig elections.

And lastly, death penalty for election thugs who escape shoot at sight order.

sreamsense:
I never knew you guys can forgive El-rufai multiple sins just because you hated Tinubu. Nah so you desperate ?

Did you know Tinubu was ever going to work with Buhari whom he had said imprintable things about pre-2013?

Politics is a game of interest not emotions nor morality.

Shey you guys have been accusing us of playing emotional politics, right? Well, we have learnt and henceforth we are ready to align with whosever his or her interest aligns with ours at any given time.

So, save your tears, you are going to need it after 2027 elections.

Dennisochampa:
Just go Internet... U go see all the proof wen u want

If this thing below is what you call protest then we might have to find a new name for real protests?

Maybe we start calling protests war.

You people should wrap it up. The era used media to tell silly lies is over.

The people are the media now.

So, tell your people to do better if they want to stop Elrufai, not this joke.

Look at the trash that was pushed to Front Page.

Protests erupted where?

You talking about the ragtags that were given caborn sheets to hold and they were using them to cover their faces? They weren’t even up to 20.

You call that protest?

OKOATA:
Someone who's a tribalist shouldn't be reasoned with. I don't try to talk it with them or try to make them change their stance against an ordinary human. Stop wasting your time responding to these guys. They know what they are doing so stop all the shalaye to them.

Thank you jare!

Truthful123:
Check my Ai analysis I posted. That account has been posting against Peter and Igbo people as recent as July. It's a propaganda account probably created by Reno Omokri. I attached four screen shot.

Every sensible Nigerian would know this.

These are kind of things I ordinarily don’t bother myself with but I know this forum. They might move this thread to front page and if there’s no alternative narrative, undiscerning minds might believe it as true.