Ned Nwoko causing confusion with his state creation moves, says south-east group

The Adada State Movement has accused Ned Nwoko, senator representing Delta north, of obstructing efforts to create a new state in the south-east.

In a statement on Tuesday signed by Ike Abonyi, its director of media and publicity, the group said Nwoko, who is not from the south-east, is attempting to “create confusion, and deny the region its rightful request for equity and justice”.

The movement urged all institutions involved in the state creation process, at federal, state, and regional levels, to adhere strictly to constitutional requirements.

It noted that new states in Nigeria are created through parliamentary processes, not media statements or personal declarations.

“We commend the mature approach taken by concerned stakeholders despite provocations in the media, particularly from Senator Ned Nwoko who is not from the region,” the statement reads.

“Senator Nwoko has been attempting to rewrite history, create confusion, and deny the South East its rightful request for equity and justice.”

The group commended the national assembly’s joint constitutional amendment committee for recognising the need to address long-standing demands from the south-east.

Abonyi thanked federal legislators from the region for taking a measured approach aimed at avoiding acrimony while ensuring any proposed state meets constitutional criteria.

“The creation of states in a democratic setting is not achieved through proclamations or media assertions but through parliamentary procedures as outlined in the constitution,” the movement said.

Calls for the creation of a new south-east state have gained momentum in recent years, with various groups, including the Adada State Movement, advocating for the move.

Nwoko, who hails from Delta state in the south-south region, has championed the creation of Anioma state.

Nwoko has argued that his proposal reflects broader national interests and historical considerations, setting up a divergence of views between south-east advocates and his Anioma state campaign.