Nigeria has a very interesting even if often paradoxical history. The area that was colonized by the British Empire had in the 19th century like nations consisted of many ethnic groups. Colonialism was principally a political and economic enterprise for the benefit. It was therefore an outcome of colonial strategy that the British took certain political decisions for both political and economic expediencies.
The political dominance of the three ethnic groups possibly based on population has since remained the albatross of development in Nigeria. The post-independence military coups had ethnic colorations and since then in the words of legendary literary icon, Chinua Achebe, politics has become the proverbial knife that has cut what held the Nigerian people together and things have fallen apart.
The 1967 civil war set the stage for further ethnic divide and mutual suspicion in the larger Nigerian state. Both military and civilian governments have been tainted by both ethnic and religious allegiances that have never translated to development. The effects of Nigerian/Biafran civil war between 1967-1970 still reverberates in the Nigerian polity in ways that political historians and economists have agreed must be redressed .
Even though the then Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (Rtd.) promised the three Rs, Reconciliation, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction post-civil war, many analysts believe it has been mere socio-political rhetoric devoid of sincerity and an eye for real reconciliation and development. In fact many believe that the Igbos with historical evidences have been handed the shortest end of the stick.
The paradox remains that while the mantra seems to be that the three major ethnic groups are equal, for some reasons Ndigbo have solid reasons to feel marginalized in the Nigerian project. State creation has been one socio-political and economic tool. From 1967 – 1998, the various governments have created 36 states. Gowon administration sought to split the Eastern region as a political and economic tool. Today, the North has 19 states while the South has 17. Most regions have 6 states apiece and even the North West has seven states while only the South East has just 5 states.
State creation is a political action that has both socio-political and economic implications. The agitation for the creation of Anioma state predates the present republic. It emerged from the voices of indigenes seeking a reunification with their kits and kin spread across the country due to migration, trade and the civil war, a re-affirmation of socio-cultural identity and a solid base for generational identity and self pride.
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The Roundtable Conversation had engaged with a wide network of Ndigbo and socio-cultural groups both at home and in the diaspora and there is unanimity of demand for an Anioma state. Prof. Pat Okedinachi Utomi is a renowned professor of Political Economy and Management Expert. He is the founder of Center for Values in Leadership. He traced the efforts of late Dennis Chukwudi Osadebe (1911-1994) whose iconic memory as a politician, journalist and former Premier of the Mid-Western Region of Nigeria looms large in the history of Anioma state creation in the last six decades.
He recalls that there are Ndigbo in parts of Cross River, Rivers, Benue, Kogi and the five states of the South East. The creation of an Anioma state to him is merely a political action that is long overdue. A huge part of Delta state is home to people of same ancestry, language, culture, food and heritage. He believes that ethnic identity is not bad on its own but political marginalization and manipulation can be veritable sources of conflicts which hampers development. He recalls that as for viability, the Anioma region as the name implies (Good land) has the human resources that is the key element of development. About 80% of the drivers of many indigenous Nigerian banks and notable technocrats trace their ancestry to the Anioma region.
The late Asagba of Asaba, one of the most revered Nigerian academic and dignified Royal Father, late Prof. Chike Edozien was a very vocal advocate of Anioma state. He was a direct descendant of Nnebisi, the founder of Asaba. It was not surprising that he was a passionate promoter of Igbo unity. He was immersed in encouraging the full socio-cultural unity of Ndigbo anywhere they exist. Late Dr. Ralph Uwechue, renowned diplomat became the President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo bringing with him the unity and purposeful leadership that was as admirable as it was functional in promoting Ndigbo causes and unity.
A Prof. Pat Utomi insists that on a philosophical level, he believes that the regional system of government was very productive as all regions thrived productively. However, even though many of the governors appear very profligate and poor in maximizing the value of human capital, he believes that a country like Japan and others that have little natural resources but are in the global high development index.
Senator Ned Nwoko represents Delta North Senatorial District and is the Sponsor of the Bill for the creation of Anioma state which has the support of most of his colleagues in the present National Assembly. Asked his motivation for sponsoring such a Bill, he went down memory lane recalling that the agitation predates his present status as a Senator. He said he stands on the shoulders of Anioma citizens that started even before his birth. Today that he has the opportunity to represent his people, the best he can do is to add his voice to those of his progenitors and the living as a way of leaving a legacy for generations. He recalled his war time experiences staying in today’s Abia state as a pre-teen. When his parents decided to get back ‘home’ to today’s Delta area, his young eyes recorded memories that brings him to tears every time.
The Senator recalls how the then Nigerian soldiers killed and/or raped young girls in his community. At some points, as a survivalist strategy, parents decided to tell their kids to adopt names of Benin and Yoruba people just so their life could be spared. That became the origin of ‘I’m not Igbo’ that is common with a few individuals today.
This piece of history explains the identity crises that has lasted over generations. This gave rise to some Igbos being prefixed with; Mid-Western Igbos, Bendel Igbos and today Delta Igbos. He advises that the creation of Anioma state would be a soothing balm on the psyche of generations. It would spell equity, justice and peace to let Ndigbo reunite as a people and have the solid identity that gives the confidence to feel valued and part of the Nigerian state.
He feels that the state would be viable because the human/material resources would be maximized. Asked about some people who feel Anioma shouldn’t be created or even it is, it should be attached to the South South, the Senator said that that all the democratic processes including referendum would take place. This is why the advocates are taking all the legal steps to get the National Assembly do the needful. After all, being representatives of the people was a product of voting power. That is democracy.
The Senator believes that the agitation is not just about politics but about the human essence that powers development. It is about righting the wrongs of the past, it is about an inferred restitution of a people that need to reclaim their past. The now globally documented Asaba Massacre of October 1967 remains as a reminder of how deep the hurt is. The massacre was orchestrated by the Nigerian army as punitive measures for the Igbo identity of the people. The Oputa Panel presentations saw survivors still living with the trauma.
The legislative and legal processes for the creation of Anioma state as the 6th state for the South East cannot be waved off by people who lack what Rev. Prof. Anthony Akinwale, calls the ‘tedious task of tidy thinking’. It is not about any individual or political process but a very far reaching action that would re-orientate the wounded mindset, restore self-identity and reunite the Igbo people across the country and beyond. As the social mantra goes, ‘Igbo bu Igbo’ which translates to the Igbos everywhere are still Igbos no matter their location.
The Senator maintains that those who tend to make the argument that the Anioma state would not be viable must remember that the area in question has huge land mass and is blessed with arable land, huge gas deposits and some of the most productive technocrats and corporate giants in Nigeria. What with the Okonjo-Iwealas, the Tony Elumelus, the Nduka Obiagbenas, the Jim Ovias, the Achuzia, the Odogwus, the Kachikwus, the Okogwus (in fact former first lady Maryam Babangida is credited with using her influence to get the Asaba as capital for Delta state in respect of her heritage), the Uwechues, the Utomis, the Edoziens and a host of other very brilliant and highly successful individuals that have the torch of progress as evidence of the value of human capital.
The South East must not remain a dot in the map according to the late President Buhari who gained a presidential twitter notoriety by claiming that he will treat the people in the ‘language they understand’, a subtle reference to the tragedy of the civil war. After his election, he claimed he would not treat the ‘97% of those who voted for him the same way he will treat the 5% that didn’t, still referencing the South East region, flawed as his statistics was.
Equitable treatment, justice and fairness must be the bedrock of development. An Anioma state according to both Senator Ned Nwoko and Prof. Pat Utomi will engender leadership legacies that stand individuals out through the actions they take to enhance human flourishing. A Mandela, an Abraham Lincoln, an Azikiwe, a Martin Luther king, a Ghandi and many others who remain immortal did so by acting on behalf of their people and humanity. The Anioma state creation story continues to intrigue and create room for the values of history and human memories.
The dialogue continues…
