Politics
MR Olisa Ifeajika, the Executive Assistant to Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori on Public Enlightenment (Projects and Policies) has dismissed claims that Oborevwori and former Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa are opposed the creation of Anioma state.
Ifeajika dismissed the claim at a news conference on Monday in Asaba.
He said there was no evidence that the people of Anioma had collectively presented a request for state creation to the governor..
He stated that there was no record showing that stakeholders behind the renewed agitation for Anioma state creation formally informed the state governor of their intentions.
According to him, there is no correspondence, declaration or official engagement expressing the collective will of the people on the matter.
Ifeajika said: “A state governor must be aware that part of the state he is governing wishes to be made a different state.
”In the case in point, I am not aware that promoters of the new agitation for Anioma state briefed our governor.
“So, the governor you did not consult on the matter, how can you then begin to insinuate that he is opposed to the agitation for Anioma state.”
On Okowa, Ifeajika said the ex-governor had consistently supported the quest for Anioma state throughout his political career.
He noted that Okowa had always promoted the interests of Anioma people, including support for the proposed state.
Ifeajika, however, said that Okowa’s support was tied to preserving Anioma’s place within the South-South geopolitical zone.
He added that the former governor’s position on the issue had remained clear and consistent.
“Okowa’s position is that the Anioma state agitation that he will support is the one that the state when created, will remain in South-South, and with Asaba as capital.
”That is his position and there is no ambiguity about it.
“So, the issue of ‘Igboness’ of Okowa does not arise. Anioma state must not be in South East for Okowa and the rest of us to be seen as Igbos.
”We are Igbos in Delta, just as there are Igbos in Rivers. Being in Delta and South-South does not make Okowa and all of us less Igbo.
“It is same with other tribes. Take the Ijaws, there are Ijaws in Ondo state, there are Ijaws in Edo, in Delta, in Rivers and in Bayelsa.
”They must not all be in Bayelsa before they will be seen as Ijaws,” Ifeajika added.
He cautioned against politicising the agitation, describing some aspects of the renewed campaign as driven by personal political interests.
According to Ifeajika, state creation should emerge from broad consensus among the people, government and relevant stakeholders.
“It must come from the people. You do not impose a state on the people.
”Everybody must be carried along and they must agree that they need a state in the way they want it before the process can begin.
“Once there is genuine consensus, the governor and other stakeholders will naturally support it,” he added.
Ifeajika also spoke on Nigeria’s democratic journey, urging citizens to remain confident in the nation’s democratic development.
He acknowledged challenges in the areas of rule of law, human rights and electoral credibility but maintained that steady progress was being made.
According to him, democratic growth takes time and requires patience, commitment and active citizen participation.
“Our democracy is growing. We are still learning and improving. We may make mistakes along the way but together, we will correct them and become better.
“Nigerians must have faith in the system because democracy is a journey. Citizens must be more actively involved in elections rather than withdrawing from the process due to skepticism,” he said.
He warned that voter apathy and pessimism could weaken democratic development and affect the quality of leadership produced through elections.
The governor’s aide said electoral reforms and voter education would help strengthen public confidence in the democratic process.
Reaffirming his optimism about the country’s future, Ifeajika urged Nigerians to remain hopeful and committed to nation-building.
He expressed confidence that democracy in Nigeria would continue to grow stronger through sustained public participation and institutional reforms.(NAN)
Tags: Anioma State