The Asagba of Asagba, His Royal Majesty, Asagba Prof Epiphany Azinge, SAN, OON, has commended the Senator representing Delta North senatorial district in the National Assembly, Senator Ned Nwoko, for his legislative efforts, particularly his push for the creation of Anioma State.
Asagba Prof Azinge, who gave the commendation when Senator Nwoko visited him at his Abuja residence over the weekend, praised him for his vibrancy, commitment, and legislative prowess, noting that he had been one of the most active lawmakers in the current Senate.
The foremost traditional ruler remarked that Nwoko had remained focused, always wanting to touch the lives of his constituents, pointing out that he had followed the Senate’s activities with keen interest and had identified the Senator as one of those that had so far moved the highest number of Bills.
“That is what we want to hear about our representatives— that their voices are being heard, that they are visionaries in their own rights, and certainly that they are good representatives of their people”, the Asagba said.
He lauded Senator Nwoko’s commitment to the Anioma cause, emphasizing that he had elevated the agitation for Anioma State to a national and international discourse.
“Distinguished Senator, there is nobody that cannot praise you for the commitment you have demonstrated to the pursuit of Anioma State. You have brought it to the front burner of national, if not international discourse. You have pursued it with zeal, passion, and enthusiasm.
“You have done so brilliantly in that regard. Even anyone with the slightest iota of doubt will see reasons in the way that you have pursued it”, he said.
Asagba Azinge admitted that while his earlier stance was that those who opposed Asaba as Delta State capital should seek their own state, Senator Ned Nwoko’s approach had changed the narrative.
“My position hitherto was that those who never wanted Asaba as Delta capital can go and look for their own state. We shouldn’t be the ones doing the job. But you changed the narrative, and it is for us to buckle down and support you. If seeking Anioma is the way you feel we should go, fine, we will queue behind you and support you”, the Asaba King declared.
While emphasizing the importance of territorial delineation, and that the people of Anioma were not willing to be merged with Igbos across the Niger, the Asagba, however, pledged Asaba’s unwavering support for the proposed new state, whichever way it went, assuring Nwoko that Asaba would always queue behind him, be his cheerleaders, supporting you.
“Invite us to your public hearing, we will come. Whatever it is, we will make a formidable case that will be difficult to puncture in order to support you and your submission.
“I commend you immensely for all that you have been doing. We know it has not been easy, but the way you have been navigating shows the caliber of person you are at any point in time. Your confidence is indescribable, to say the least.
“My prayers, wherever I am, is that the land of Asaba will always continue to support you, guide you in a way and manner that most of your visions and dreams for our people will come to fruition”.
Responding, Senator Ned Nwoko reiterated that the proposed Anioma State would consist strictly of the nine local government areas (LGAs) of Delta North.
“It is important to note that when our forebears started this struggle, there was nothing like zoning in Nigeria. It later came just as a political nomenclature to address some imbalances in zoning some important offices in Nigeria—Office of the President, the Vice President, the Senate President, the Deputy Senate President, the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker.
“Anioma is in South-South, but what do we have in common with Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa-Ibom, Cross River, or Edo that we currently share the same zone with? The idea of being part of the South-East should not be confused with our identity”, Senator Ned Nwoko clarified.
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