Igbanke community in Edo state has again affirmed desire to be part of the proposed Anioma state and noted that the decision was based on their lawful and constitutional rights.
The position of Igbanke people was made known in an open letter by a forum of Igbanke sons and daughters called Akiko Uwa Social Cultural Initiative of Igbanke, addressed to the speaker, House of Representatives, rejecting a petition written by a group, Aiguobasinmwin Movement (AM) against Senator Ned Nwoko on the Anioma state agitation.
In the letter dated 2nd September 2025, released on behalf of the Igbanke community, the forum said they totally object to the petition from Aiguobasinmwin Movement, signed by Osaro Culture Iyamu and Mr. Osayuke Osa Benson and submitted to the House of Representatives through Hon.Billy Osawaru Famous Adesuwa.
They noted that the petition against Senator Nwoko for alleged incitement of disunity and hostility, within Benin Kingdom and Igbanke, contradicted the true position and legitimate concerns of the entire community over Anioma state creation agitation.
The group said Igbanke community requested to be included in Anioma state being championed by Senator Nwoko ,representing Delta North senatorial district at the National Assembly and dismissed the petition as gross misinformation.
Citing archival records, they stated that the people of the community are closely related to Anioma and noted that Igbanke kings were traditionally called Obis,dating from ancient to colonial times, before the nomenclature was arbitrarily changed by the Binis.
According to Akiko Uwa Social Cultural Initiative of Igbanke: “Contrary to the claims in the petition, Senator Ned Nwoko is not inciting unrest. We the people of Igbanke approached him and solicited his assistance as a trusted leader of Anioma origin, whom we regard as a compassionate figure.
“Igbanke is an Ika-Anioma speaking community, and its desire to be part of the proposed Anioma State aligns with its ethnic, cultural, and linguistic homogeneity.
The Bini political elite have neglected Igbanke.We the Igbanke people have long suffered from systemic marginalization and suppression within Edo State, particularly at the hands of dominant ethnic groups. Meanwhile, Senator Nwoko’s involvement has been entirely lawful, responding to a legitimate call for inclusion in Anioma state.
On the legality of the petition, they noted that Aiguobasinmwin Movement (AM) is an unknown entity not registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and therefore lacks the legal standing to present any petition to the House of Representatives on behalf of the Igbanke people.
“ The signatories of the petition are not from Igbanke; they have no cultural or historical affiliation with the community, and do not speak the Igbanke dialect of Ika-Ibo Language or understand its traditions. They do not represent the interests or will of the Igbanke people and therefore lack the consent or mandate to speak on their behalf.
“Igbanke’s call for inclusion in Anioma State and creation of a local government are both lawful and constitutional. Sections 8(1) – (6) and 9 of the 1999 Constitution provide the mechanism for
state creation and boundary adjustment. Igbanke’s demand is not an act of rebellion or incitement but a legitimate and peaceful expression of their right to self-determination”
Akiko Uwa Social Cultural Initiative of Igbanke, therefore urged the House of Representatives to dismiss the petition by Aiguobasinmwin Movement for being constitutionally unfounded,protect the cultural and religious rights of Igbanke people as guaranteed under the Constitution and censure attempts by political actors to intimidate minority groups.
The letter was signed on behalf of Igbanke people by Pastor Nwachukwu Ugbekile,Chief Jude Ogbekile, Dr.Ifeanyi Egede,Mr.Azuka Okah,Engr.Nkem Obodoagwu,Barr. Daniel Isioma Ugbotor,Mr.Slvester Ojei,Barr.Ogumu Idumuodin,Dr.Evelyn Onwaiban,Mr.Austin Ebigwu,Engr.Lucky Emeghai and Mr.Johnson Adaze.
