The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has praised Senator Ned Nwoko (APC–Delta North) for his relentless advocacy for the creation of Anioma State, describing him as a driving force behind the renewed legislative momentum toward establishing a sixth state for the South East region.
In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA said the National Assembly’s decision to approve an additional state for the South East marks a historic breakthrough in the long-standing campaign for equity and constitutional balance among Nigeria’s geo-political zones.
According to the group, Senator Nwoko’s efforts have been instrumental in securing wide-ranging legislative backing for the Anioma State proposal.
HURIWA noted that beyond sponsoring the bill before the Senate Committee on Constitution Review, Nwoko successfully garnered the endorsement of more than two-thirds of senators with over 90 lawmakers, including key principal officers, signing in support of the motion.
HURIWA also commended the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, and other lawmakers for their collaboration in advancing the cause of fair representation for the South East.
The association emphasised that Anioma stands out as the most logical and equitable choice for the new state, given its Igbo identity, historical ties, and location west of the River Niger. It cautioned against any attempt to merely redraw boundaries within existing states, insisting that such measures would not achieve true parity for the region.
“It would be unjust and illogical,” the statement read, “to create new states in other regions that already have six or seven while granting only one to the South East. That would perpetuate, not correct, the long-standing imbalance in Nigeria’s federal structure.”
HURIWA reiterated that the Igbo-speaking population estimated at over 50 million deserves equal structural recognition alongside the Yoruba and Hausa ethnic groups.
The association urged both chambers of the National Assembly and state assemblies to fast-track the legislative process to make Anioma State a constitutional reality.
The group concluded that establishing Anioma State would not only enhance national unity and equity but also serve as a tribute to the resilience and aspirations of the Igbo people, commending Senator Nwoko’s foresight and steadfast commitment to one of the “most credible and unifying state creation campaigns in modern Nigerian history.”