Senator representing Delta North, Ned Nwoko, says lasting peace will return to the South-East if the Federal Government addresses the region’s long-standing grievances through justice, inclusion, and equity.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Nwoko linked the persistent unrest in the region to perceived marginalisation by successive administrations, which he said has fuelled agitations by groups such as the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

According to the lawmaker, two decisive actions could help restore calm the creation of a sixth state in the South-East and the release of IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu, who has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since his re-arrest in June 2021.

“The problem in the South-East has to do with perceived injustice by successive governments,” Nwoko said. “What needs to be done is the creation of a new state to make up the number to six, and the release of Nnamdi Kanu. By the time you do these two things, I am almost certain that peace will return to the South-East.”

Nwoko, who is championing the creation of Anioma State from the present Delta State, described Kanu’s continued detention as unjust, insisting it remains a major factor behind regional instability.

He revealed that the Joint Committee of the Senate and House of Representatives on Constitution Review has already approved the creation of an additional state for the South-East, expressing confidence that Anioma would be selected.

“The National Assembly has put together a committee to decide which state to choose. There are about seven proposals from the South-East, and we are one of them. At the public hearing in Enugu, we presented our case, and I am almost certain that we will be chosen,” he stated.

The senator also voiced optimism that President Bola Tinubu would back the proposal, describing the creation of Anioma State as “the best gift to the people of Anioma and the Igbo nation.”