Senator Ned Nwoko Speaks About Creation of New State in South East, Sends Message to Tinubu
- Senator Ned Nwoko has called for the creation of Anioma state and the release of Nnamdi Kanu to restore peace in Nigeria’s south-east
- He said the region’s unrest stemmed from years of perceived injustice and marginalisation by successive governments
- Nwoko described the proposed state as “the best gift” President Bola Tinubu could offer the Igbo people
Senator Ned Nwoko, who represents Delta North in the Nigerian Senate, has said that peace will remain elusive in the south-east region unless the federal government addresses what he described as a deep-rooted sense of marginalisation.
Speaking during an appearance on Channels Television’s ‘Sunday Politics’ on October 26, 2025, Nwoko attributed the persistent unrest in the region to “perceived injustice by successive governments”.
Source: Twitter
Ned Nwoko: Marginalisation fuelling South-east unrest
Nwoko argued that the south-east’s longstanding grievances stem from structural imbalances and political exclusion.
He emphasised that the creation of Anioma state and the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), would be critical steps towards resolving the crisis.
“The problem in the south-east has to do with perceived injustice by successive governments,” Nwoko said.
“So what needs to be done, and it’s one of the reasons I am here today, is the creation of a new state to make up the number to six, and then the release of Nnamdi Kanu.“
Anioma state proposal gains ground in National Assembly
Nwoko, who is spearheading the campaign for the creation of Anioma state from the existing Delta state, said the initiative has received favourable attention from lawmakers.
According to him, the joint committee of the Senate and House of Representatives on constitutional review has endorsed the proposal to add a sixth state to the south-east.
“Now, what has happened is that the national assembly has put together a committee to decide which state to choose. There are about seven states,” he said.
The senator expressed optimism that President Bola Tinubu would approve the creation of Anioma state if recommended by the committee, making it clear in his message that it will be “the best gift” the president could offer to the Igbo people.
During a two-day retreat held in Lagos from 24 to 25 October 2025, the Joint Committee of the Senate and House of Representatives on Constitution Review endorsed the proposal to add one more state to the South-East geopolitical zone.
This decision aims to address long-standing concerns over political marginalisation, as the region currently has only five states—fewer than other zones in Nigeria. The move is part of a broader constitutional review process that considered 55 separate requests for new states across the federation
Who is Ned Nwoko?
Ned Nwoko is a Nigerian lawyer, politician, and philanthropist known for his contributions to law, politics, and humanitarian causes. He served as a member of the Nigerian House of Representatives from 1999 to 2003, representing Aniocha North-South and Oshimili North-South in Delta State. A prominent advocate for malaria eradication in Africa, he launched the Ned Nwoko Malaria Eradication Project.
He is also recognised for his role in Nigeria’s Paris Club debt relief. Nwoko is married to Nollywood actress Regina Daniels, a union that has drawn significant public attention. He continues to be active in both political and social spheres.
Source: Twitter
Proposed new states in South East as one awaits creation
Legit.ng earlier reported that the National Assembly unanimously approved the creation of a new state in South East.
The decision, which seeks to bring the number of states in the region to six, has sparked renewed interest and debate over which proposed state will ultimately be selected.
Proofreading by James Ojo, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
