Senator Ned Nwoko has directly challenged historical narratives regarding the ethnic identity of the Anyoma people, insisting that they are culturally and historically Igbo, not an offshoot of the Benin Kingdom. The Delta North Senator made this forceful declaration during his argument for the creation of Anyoma State, asserting that confusion over their origin was a consequence of historical circumstances and survival tactics. Nwoko’s statement underscores the cultural affinity underpinning his legislative push to formally place the proposed state in the Southeast geopolitical zone.
According to a video posted on the Official YouTube channel of Channels Television, while explaining why some Anyoma people had previously distanced themselves from the Igbo identity, Senator Nwoko rejected external historical influence. He declared, “We were not Benin, We are Igbos, and there’s nothing Benin about us.” He traced this identity distortion to the historical expansion of the Benin Empire and later, to survival tactics during the Nigerian Civil War, where people were compelled to deny their Igbo heritage to escape alleged ethnic cleansing and violence.
Nwoko stressed that the true heritage of the Anyoma people is evident in every aspect of their lives, from their names and dialects to their traditions and food. He argued that the political fight for Anyoma State is fundamentally a quest for identity, justice, and the restoration of a truth that was suppressed by war and political maneuvering. Establishing the state as the sixth in the Southeast would be a symbolic, powerful acknowledgment of this core identity.
The Senator is championing this creation as a crucial step toward correcting the systematic political and structural marginalization of the entire Southeast zone, which currently holds only five states. He stated that the resulting feeling of injustice is the main factor driving youth agitation and insecurity in the region. Nwoko maintained that recognizing Anyoma’s rightful place would provide the necessary equity and respect, contributing significantly to national unity and healing.
He further confirmed that the legislative process for Anyoma State is proceeding with strong momentum, citing a consensus among federal lawmakers on the necessity of a sixth Southeast state. Nwoko assured the public that a referendum, a constitutional requirement, is planned for before the end of the year, encompassing all five existing Southeast states to secure their collective approval for Anyoma’s formal adoption into the geopolitical zone.
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