Anioma Vs South East: The Tug-Of-War Over Nigeria’s New State Slot
HOW IT STARTED AND WHERE IT’S HEADING
SOUTH EAST: We’re pushing for an extra state to level the playing field with other regions 🥹🥹.
NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT: Fine, we’ll allocate you one more slot for a new state. 🤷🤷
SOUTH EAST: Thanks! We’ll consider Adada, Etiti, or Orlu State and get back to you 😝.
ANIOMA LEADERS: Since the government is willing to create an additional state and we’ve long demanded our own, can we have that slot to establish Anioma State? 🙏
SOUTH EAST LEADERS: Nah, that slot is meant for the South East to maintain balance.
ANIOMA LEADERS: But we’re your siblings. Let us have the slot—we can be counted as the sixth South East state while also creating our Anioma State. It’s a win-win.
SOUTH EAST LEADERS: Hmm 🤔… alright, that makes sense. Take the slot, complete the South East, and have your own state too.
ANIOMA LEADERS: Thanks a lot, bro 🤝, we really appreciate it.
A FEW MOMENTS LATER
SOME ANIOMA TRADITIONAL RULERS: Wait, we’re our own people. Nobody should zone us to the South East 😔😌.
SOME ANIOMA POLITICIANS: Anioma State belongs to us! We are part of the South South, leave us alone—we want our state there.
ANIOMA PEOPLE ON SOCIAL MEDIA: If the Igbos want an extra state, they should create it from their five states. Anioma State is ours in the South South.
NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT: 🤷🙄🙅🙅
SOUTH EAST LEADERS: Seriously?! 😡😡 Do you think we’re stupid?
ANIOMA: No, you can’t force us to join your region. We’re fine where we are.
SOUTH EAST LEADERS: Fine… you’re “okay” there with our slot? 🤣🤣 Nah, we’re taking it back. Wait for the South South slot to establish Anioma State.
ANIOMA LEADERS: No, we really want our state 🥺
SOUTH EAST LEADERS: We cannot repeat the same mistake. To protect our interests, you’ll create your state using our slot, but some parts of our region will be included. The new state will be called Anim-Oma and zoned to the South East. Take it or leave it.
ANIOMA: That’s unfair! Adding parts of your region dilutes our identity and the vision of our forefathers who started this struggle.
SOUTH EAST LEADERS: 😌😌 You should have thought about that before trying to outsmart us. Act fast—we have limited time to pursue other options. NA OUR SLOT, NOT YOU TO DECIDE HOW TO USE IT.
