Anioma youths from the nine local government areas of Delta North on Monday staged a peaceful protest at the Government House, Asaba, demanding the creation of Anioma State and its zoning to the South-East geopolitical zone.
The protesters criticised Delta North legislators who recently distanced themselves from the agitation and insisted that Anioma people are Igbo by ancestry, culture and language.
Speaking through their leaders, including Ofochi Atagana, Ayo Ashiedu, Kingsley Kainebi and Chief Jude Ogbekile, the youths appealed to the Delta State Government for political and moral support.
Receiving the protesters, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Prince Johnson Erijo, said the Oborevwori administration was not opposed to the creation of Anioma State, provided the process followed constitutional provisions. He assured them that the governor had been fully briefed and respected the democratic will of the people.
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Prince Erijo commended the youths for their peaceful conduct and urged unity among Anioma stakeholders, noting that a clear and common position would strengthen the agitation.
He explained that state creation required petitions to the National Assembly and a referendum across all Anioma-speaking areas, adding that the government would support any outcome backed by the majority.
The youths also called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Assembly to support the Anioma State bill, describing the proposal as beneficial to both Anioma and Delta State.
