6th S/East state: Ohanaeze commends Govs for endorsing Anioma

Ohanaeze Ndigbo has expressed total solidarity with the South East Governors for endorsing Anioma as the 6th South East state.

This was contained in a statement issued by Forum of Ohanaeze State Presidents on Wednesday, 3rd December, 2025.

The statement was signed by, Mazi Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu Chief Benjamin C. Igumbor, President, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Anambra State President, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Delta State Barr Justice Ọkoha Nze Barr. Chris Obialor, President, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Ebonyi State President, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Imo State Livingstone Wechie and President, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Rivers State

The statement reads thus: At a meeting of South East National Assembly members summoned by the Deputy Speaker, Rt Hon Benjamin Kalu, the majority opinion of the Governors while consulted on telephone by their states’ National Assembly caucus was in favour of Anioma as the proposed 6th South East State based on viability, historical reparation and Igbo unification.

After consulting, therefore Anioma emerged the preferred choice, having 2 votes for 1st choice, just like ANIM but having two 2nd choice votes whereas ANIM had one.

The Governors rightfully asserted that Anioma was the most appropriate choice ahead of Aba, Adada and ANIM, in terms of viability, as it was the only State that was adding to the region, in terms of landmass, population/ human capital and economic profile whereas the others would not add anything new to the region.

Again, they did not lose sight of the fact that Anioma was the oldest State creation agitation, dating back since 1939 with its creation substantially helping to heal the historical wounds of the October 1967 Asaba massacre suffered by our Anioma brethren and the stigma of forced denial of their Igboness they have had to endure.

Most importantly, the Governors took cognizance of the fact that the creation of Anioma as the 6th South East State is today the most important tool for Igbo unification. With the emergence of Senator John Azuta-Mbata, an Ikwerre man as Ohanaeze President General, the question of Igbo identity of Rivers Igbos has been answered conclusively.

Likewise Anioma State shall ensure the unification of Ndị Anioma with the rest of the Igbo nation, across the Niger and equally bring to an end the forced de-Igbonization of Igbos of Edo State such as the Igbankes.

This is indeed a new dawn for Ndigbo and the South East Governors and National Assembly members must be commended for their forthrightness and patriotism.

Finally, we wish to seize this medium to call on all Igbo structures and Igbo patriots, both in Nigeria and Diaspora to support the Anioma State creation project as a call of duty.