As calls for the creation of new states continue to grow across Nigeria, no fewer than 90 elected senators, among them the Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, have declared support for the establishment of Anioma State.
This groundswell of support follows strategic efforts by Senator Ned Nwoko, who represents the Delta North Senatorial District and is the lead proponent of the Anioma State initiative.
A document obtained by The Telegraph reveals that Senator Nwoko had, on May 27, 2025, formally addressed a letter to the Senate President and all members of the Red Chamber, seeking their individual and collective backing for the proposed state.
In the letter, Senator Nwoko grounded his proposal on the principles of national development, equity, justice, and federal balance.
The proposal has since been formally introduced as Senate Bill 481, and is currently under consideration as part of the ongoing constitutional amendment process.
According to the document, “The movement for the creation of Anioma State as the sixth state of the South-East region is gaining unprecedented national momentum, cutting across political, religious, and regional divides.
“Prominent Nigerians, including influential members of the 10th National Assembly, have declared their full support for the initiative.”
At the core of this momentum is a remarkable show of solidarity within the Senate, where 90 senators—far exceeding the two-thirds constitutional threshold of 67—have already endorsed the proposal.
Among the top-ranking lawmakers backing the Anioma State initiative are Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau; Senate Leader Michael Opeyemi Bamidele; Senate Minority Leader Abba Patrick Moro; former Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole; former Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson; former Abia State Governor Orji Uzor Kalu; Southeast political stalwart Victor Umeh; former Ogun State Governor Gbenga Daniel; FCT Senator Ireti Kingibe; former Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong; and Anambra North Senator Tony Nwoye, among others.
With 90 Senators already on board, political analysts and legislative experts agree that the proposal has cleared the Senate’s constitutional hurdle, and is well-positioned for success as it moves through the legislative process.
As momentum continues to build, support for Anioma State is being hailed as a rare unifying cause with strong prospects for both legislative passage and national acceptance.
