Anim State Proposal: Are Owerri and Okigwe Zones Being Left Behind?
The ongoing conversations surrounding the proposed creation of Anim State continue to generate both excitement and unease across Imo State and the wider Southeast. While the creation of new states is often presented as a pathway to development, equity, and administrative convenience, history has shown that such processes are rarely free from political calculation and strategic interests.
At the heart of the current debate lies a far more consequential issue than is publicly acknowledged — the control of oil and gas resources.
One community now central to this unfolding discourse is Ohaji/Egbema, an oil-rich area whose economic value to Imo State cannot be overstated. These are not merely communities on a map; they are critical assets that sustain revenue, attract investment, and shape the economic future of the state.
- Advertisement -
There are growing indications that Ohaji/Egbema may be included in the proposed Anim State. This raises urgent and uncomfortable questions: on what grounds, and in whose interest?
Even more striking is the position of the people themselves. Voices from within Ohaji/Egbema, including influential community platforms such as Ogbako Ohaji, point to a clear preference — to remain within Imo State. Their historical, cultural, and political identity is deeply rooted in Imo, and any attempt to alter that reality without their consent would not only be unjust but potentially destabilizing.
This brings us to a critical concern: have Owerri and Okigwe zones been outmaneuvered?
The much-celebrated “Charter of Equity,” originally designed to promote fairness and balance within Imo State, now appears to be under serious scrutiny. Was it truly a framework for inclusion, or has it become a convenient distraction — a political smokescreen — while more strategic decisions about resource control and territorial boundaries are quietly being negotiated elsewhere?
There is a growing perception that while some regions remain preoccupied with rotational arrangements and symbolic political concessions, others are strategically positioning themselves around the real prize: natural resources. If this perception holds any truth, then Owerri and Okigwe zones may indeed have been “sold a dummy” — engaged in debates over equity while more decisive issues slip beyond their grasp.
The implications are profound. Losing Ohaji/Egbema would not merely be a territorial adjustment; it would represent a significant economic setback with long-term consequences for Imo State’s fiscal strength and bargaining power.
Within this context, the increasing calls for Owerri zone to strengthen its alignment with Ohaji/Egbema must be taken seriously. This is not simply a matter of political convenience; it is about shared interests, mutual survival, and strategic foresight. In moments of structural change, alliances are not optional — they are essential.
However, beyond alliances, there must be accountability. Stakeholders in Owerri and Okigwe zones must rise above passive observation and ask the hard questions:
• Have they been fully involved in discussions shaping the boundaries of the proposed Anim State?
• Do they fully understand the economic implications of losing oil-producing communities?
• Most importantly, whose interests are truly being served in this process?
Equally important is the question of legitimacy. What moral or political justification exists for including Ohaji/Egbema in Anim State against the expressed will of its people? In any democratic society, state creation must be rooted in consultation, consent, and collective interest — not imposition.
The true spirit of equity demands fairness, balance, and, above all, respect for the will of the people. In this regard, the real Charter of Equity should be clear and unambiguous: Oguta can be part of Anim State, while Ohaji/Egbema remains in Imo State — a position that aligns with the identity, preference, and democratic rights of the people concerned.
Development cannot be built on exclusion. Equity cannot exist where voices are ignored. And no community should be reduced to a bargaining chip in negotiations driven by opaque interests.
The debate over Anim State is no longer just about administrative convenience; it is about power, resources, identity, and the future of Imo State itself.
For Owerri and Okigwe zones, this is a defining moment. The cost of silence may be irreversible. The time to engage, to question, and to act is now.
Chief Kelechi Anyanwu
Lives in Lagos
(DEMOCRACY NEWSLINE NEWSPAPER, MARCH 25TH 2026)
