Chief Omenazu Jackson, Chancellor of the International Society for Social Justice and Human Rights (ISSJHR) and a chieftain of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has criticised Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, over alleged attempts to undermine the agitation for the creation of Anioma State.
In a statement, Jackson described the demand for Anioma State as non-negotiable, stressing that it is anchored on justice, identity, equity, and the need to address what he termed a long-standing structural imbalance affecting the Igbo nation.
“The Anioma question is not negotiable; it is rooted in justice, identity, equity, and the urgent need to correct a structural imbalance deliberately imposed on the Igbo nation,” he said.
Jackson maintained that Anioma people in Delta North are Igbo by ancestry, culture, and tradition, arguing that political and colonial boundaries cannot erase their identity. He added that decades of geopolitical restructuring and post-civil war developments have worsened their marginalisation.
He also raised concerns over what he described as attempts to promote an alternative “Anim State,” warning that such a proposal lacks historical and cultural legitimacy. According to him, the move is driven by narrow political interests rather than the collective aspirations of the Igbo people.
“Any agenda that prioritises personal ambition over collective identity is not progress, but a dangerous distraction,” Jackson said, cautioning against what he termed efforts to divert attention from the Anioma State movement.
Making a case for the proposed state, Jackson noted that its creation would reunite a people divided by administrative boundaries, strengthen the political relevance of the Igbo nation, and expand its economic and geographic influence.
He further stated that Anioma State would enhance access to economic opportunities, particularly through the River Niger, and improve the bargaining position of the Igbo within Nigeria’s federal structure.
Jackson linked the agitation to a broader historical struggle for recognition and inclusion, describing it as a continuation of efforts by past generations.
“Anioma State is not just a political aspiration; it is a declaration of justice, a reaffirmation of identity, and a defining step toward securing the future of Ndigbo,” he said.
He urged Igbo leaders, socio-cultural organisations, and other stakeholders to remain united and resist any attempts to derail the Anioma State project.
Anioma State not negotiable – Omenazu Jackson tackles Uzodinma over ‘diversion’ claims
