IKA COMMUNITIES IN EDO PETITION FOR INCLUSION IN ANIOMA STATE THROUGH BOUNDARY ADJUSTMENT
IKA COMMUNITIES IN EDO PETITION FOR INCLUSION IN ANIOMA STATE THROUGH BOUNDARY ADJUSTMENT
INTRODUCTION
Ahead of the much-anticipated voting in the Nigerian Senate on the creation of Anioma State, concerned citizens from Igbanke and other Ika-speaking communities in Edo State have taken a decisive constitutional step by submitting a formal petition demanding that all Ika dialect communities in Edo be captured through boundary adjustment whenever Anioma State is officially created.
The petition represents a historic expression of collective identity, political consciousness, and long-standing cultural affiliation of Ika-speaking peoples whose ancestral, linguistic, and socio-cultural roots align firmly with the Anioma nation of Delta State.
THE PETITION AND ITS CORE DEMAND
The petition, jointly articulated by community leaders, youth groups, and concerned stakeholders from Igbanke and other Ika-speaking areas of Edo State, calls on the Federal Government and the National Assembly to ensure that boundary realignments reflect cultural and ethnic realities, not merely colonial-era administrative lines.
According to the petitioners, the creation of Anioma State without accommodating Ika-speaking communities presently in Edo State would amount to a continuation of historical injustice, cultural dislocation, and political marginalisation.
They argue that:
The Ika people of Edo share common ancestry, language, customs, and worldview with Anioma communities in Delta State.
Existing state boundaries artificially separated a people who historically functioned as one socio-cultural bloc.
State creation presents a rare constitutional opportunity to correct this anomaly peacefully and democratically.
SOLIDARITY RALLY IN ASABA AND DELTA STATE GOVERNMENT’S RESPONSE
The petition was formally presented and warmly received by the Delta State Government in Asaba during a high-profile solidarity rally in support of Anioma State creation, an event that attracted wide national attention and media coverage.
The rally, marked by massive turnout and strong ethnic solidarity, served not only as an endorsement of Anioma State but also as a platform to amplify the voices of Ika-speaking communities across existing state boundaries.
Officials of the Delta State Government, alongside pro-Anioma groups, acknowledged the petition as a legitimate expression of self-determination within the framework of Nigeria’s constitution, reaffirming that Anioma identity transcends current administrative borders.
ANIOMA STATE: MORE THAN ADMINISTRATIVE RESTRUCTURING
For proponents, Anioma State is not merely about adding another state to the federation. It is about:
Restoring cultural cohesion
Enhancing political representation
Accelerating grassroots development
Giving voice to historically marginalised ethnic blocs
The Ika-speaking communities in Edo State insist that their inclusion is essential to achieving the true spirit and purpose of Anioma State as a homeland for Anioma people wherever they currently reside.
SENATE VOTE AND THE NATIONAL IMPLICATION
With the Nigerian Senate expected to deliberate and vote on state creation proposals, the timing of the petition is strategic. It sends a clear message to lawmakers that state creation must be inclusive, historically informed, and sensitive to ethnic realities.
Observers note that the petition underscores a growing national trend where communities are proactively engaging constitutional processes to redefine governance structures in ways that promote peace, inclusion, and development rather than conflict.
A CALL FOR CONSTITUTIONAL JUSTICE
The Igbanke and broader Ika-speaking communities maintain that their demand is not confrontational but constitutional. They stress that boundary adjustment is a recognised mechanism under Nigeria’s federal arrangement and has precedent in previous state and local government reorganisations.
They call on:
The National Assembly
The National Boundary Commission
Relevant federal authorities
to give due consideration to their petition in the interest of justice, unity, and sustainable federalism.
CONCLUSION
As Nigeria stands at another critical juncture in its constitutional evolution, the voices from Igbanke and other Ika-speaking communities in Edo State highlight a fundamental truth: identity, history, and belonging matter.
Whether Anioma State ultimately emerges or not, the petition has already entered national discourse as a compelling reminder that genuine restructuring must listen to the people, not silence them.
Source: Community Petition and Solidarity Rally Reports on Anioma State Creation.
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