(DDM) – Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has appealed for calm after Asaba indigenes staged a peaceful demonstration over growing rumours alleging that the proposed capital of the yet-to-be-created Anioma State might be relocated from their historic city.
DDM gathered that the protest, which drew a large crowd of youths, elders, traditional representatives, and civic groups, was triggered by viral social media claims suggesting that political actors were quietly negotiating a different location for the potential state capital.
The protesters marched to Government House in Asaba to express their worries and to demand official clarification from the state authorities.
The Governor, through his Chief of Staff, Hon. Johnson Erijo, addressed the crowd and described the demonstration as a commendable show of unity and civic responsibility.
He reassured the people that no individual, political group, or ethnic bloc has the power to unilaterally decide the capital of any proposed new state.
He emphasized that the process of state creation in Nigeria is constitutionally guided and demands broad consultation, legislative approval, and sometimes a referendum involving the affected communities.
He urged the protesters to remain calm and to trust the constitutional process rather than social media speculation.
He stressed that the government will not endorse any decision that undermines the collective will of the people of Delta North or the broader Anioma nation.
Speaking further, Hon. Erijo reiterated that the Oborevwori administration values peaceful engagement and respects the concerns expressed by the Asaba community.
He described Asaba as a city with immense historical, cultural, and political significance that must be handled with respect during ongoing national conversations around restructuring and state creation.
Spokesperson for the Asaba community, Mr. Chike Ifesiokwu, thanked the Governor for granting audience to the demonstrators and for providing clarity on the controversial issue.
He stated that Asaba indigenes remain committed to peaceful dialogue, but will continue to defend the city’s status and heritage within any emerging political structure.
He added that the rumours circulating online created anxiety among residents, making it necessary for community leaders to organize the protest and seek firsthand information from the state government.
He assured the Governor that Asaba people support democratic procedures but will not accept actions perceived as sidelining their interests.
Background details indicate that the struggle for the proposed Anioma State has persisted for decades, particularly among the people of Delta North who have long argued that the geopolitical arrangement of the South-South zones leaves them politically disadvantaged.
Over the years, different committees and lobbying groups have pushed for the creation of Anioma State, with Asaba repeatedly cited as the natural capital due to its historical identity as the headquarters of the former Midwest Region and its strategic location along the Niger River.
However, recent political realignments, federal restructuring debates, and ethnic negotiations have reignited old tensions, creating fears that some interests might attempt to shift the proposed capital to another town.
Analysts say that the latest protest reflects deeper anxieties about political representation, cultural preservation, and equitable development within the Anioma region.
They note that miscommunication and social media misinformation often fuel suspicion, making official clarifications essential to maintaining peace.
Governor Oborevwori’s intervention has temporarily eased the tension, but stakeholders believe continued transparency and engagement will be crucial as national conversations about new states evolve.
The Asaba community has vowed to remain vigilant while supporting all lawful and democratic processes relating to state creation.