A Coalition of Anioma People in Delta State, on Monday, threw their weight behind the Bill, sreking the creation of Anioma State, wanting to be zoned to the South-East Geopolitical zone of the Country.
Also supporting are Igbanke people, whom they said are Igbo and want to join their people in the South East.
In a solidarity rally held in Asaba, the Coalition, comprising people from the nine Local Government Areas that make up Anioma marched from Interbua- Roundabout to Government House, chanting slogans and displaying placards.
They passed a vote of confidence for Anioma State Creation and submitted two letters signed by their spokesmen representing the nine LGAs including Aniocha North, Ika South, Aniocha South, Ika North East, Ndokwa West, Ndokwa East, Oshimili North Oshimili South, and Ukwuani, as well as those from Igbanke.
The letters submitted by Ofochi Benjamin Atagana, a lawyer, (Ukwuani), to Sheriff Oborevwori, Delta State Governor through Johnson Erijo, the Chief of Staff, appealed to the governor to use his good office to support the creation of Anioma State. Kingsley Kainebi, Jude Ogbekile, and Ayo Ashiedu also called on all stakeholders to support the creation of Anioma State in the South East, affirming the Igbo identity of the Anioma people.
The coalition stated, “We are legitimate indigenes of Anioma known as Aniocha, Ndokwa, Ika, and Oshimili, the area called Delta North, and we are ancestrally, culturally and linguistically Igbo.
“That in the exercise of our rights as guaranteed by Article 20 (1) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights, we have decided to support the Bill for the creation of Anioma State in the Southeast, thereby, excising our people and land from the existing Delta State and the South South Geopolitical Zone.
“We believe that our political, economic and sociocultural interests will be more advanced and protected in the Southeast to which we have affinity.
“We believe that having coexisted with our good neighbours, the Urhobo, the Isoko, the Ijaw, and the Itsekiri from our days in Western Region, Mid-West Region, Bendel State, and Delta State, the time has now come for us to have a State of our own and reunite with our kith and kin in the Southeast, where we ancestrally, culturally and linguistically belong.
“We are confident that having Anioma State and Delta State as neighbours will not hinder the advancement of the peoples of both States, rather it will enable both states to exist independently but cooperatively, especially in the areas of their comparative advantages.
Responding, Governor Oborevwori represented by Johnson Erijo, reassured the people on the Bill, saying, the present administration remains open, attentive, and supportive of their aspirations, particularly on the ongoing agitation for the creation of Anioma State.
He explained that the matter is already well defined within the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution, adding that the process requires due diligence and adherence to laid-down procedures, including the submission of petitions and memoranda to the National Assembly, followed by further constitutional steps.
The Delta State Government has declared that it is not opposed to the creation of Anioma State, provided the demand is pursued strictly in line with due constitutional processes.
This position was made known yesterday when Anioma youths drawn from the nine local government areas of Delta North staged a peaceful protest to the Government House, Asaba, to renew their long-standing agitation for the creation of Anioma State and its zoning to the South-East geopolitical zone.
Addressing the protesters at the Government House gate, the Chief of Staff, Government House, Prince Johnson Erijo, assured them that the administration of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori harboured no opposition to the legitimate aspirations of the Anioma people.
He emphasized that the government remained firmly committed to democratic choice, the rule of law and the expressed will of the people.
Prince Erijo commended the peaceful disposition of the youths, describing it as a reflection of maturity, responsibility and genuine commitment to their cause.
He disclosed that Governor Oborevwori had been fully briefed on the protest and had directed him to engage the group directly and listen to their concerns.
According to him, the agitation for Anioma State was neither misplaced nor improperly articulated and deserved sincere consideration.
Drawing from scriptural references, he noted that government had a responsibility to respond to the genuine needs of its people, stressing that “no earthly father would give a stone to a child who asks for bread.”
The Chief of Staff further emphasized the importance of unity among Anioma people, noting that a common and clearly defined position would strengthen the agitation and eliminate conflicting opinions. “If the people are in agreement as to the Anioma they desire, there should be no room for dissenting voices,” he said.
Explaining the constitutional framework for state creation, Prince Erijo said the process was clearly outlined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and involved the submission of petitions and memoranda to the National Assembly, followed by legislative consideration and the conduct of a referendum.
He explained that such a referendum would cover all Anioma-speaking local government areas, Aniocha North and South, Oshimili North and South, Ika North East and Ika South, Ndokwa West and Ndokwa East, as well as other interested enclaves, including Igbanke in Edo State.
He assured the protesters that once a referendum was conducted and the majority of the people expressed their desire for Anioma State, their decision would be respected.
He reiterated that Governor Oborevwori was not opposed to the creation of Anioma State and would support any outcome that reflected the majority will of the people through lawful means.
While thanking the protesters for their orderly conduct, Prince Erijo urged them to sustain their calm and law-abiding disposition as they continued to pursue the creation of Anioma State, assuring them that any collective decision reached by the people would be honoured, provided it reflected the majority position.
Earlier, the protesting youths, under the banner of a coalition, reaffirmed their demand for Anioma State and its zoning to the South-East, declared that ancestrally, culturally and linguistically, they were Igbo people, stressing that their identity could no longer be denied or downplayed.
Speaking through their leaders Ofochi Atagana for Ukwuani youths, Ayo Ashiedu for Aniocha North, Kingsley Kainebi for Ika North East and Chief Jude Ogbekile for the Igbanke community, the youths appealed to the Delta State Government to lend political and moral support to the agitation.
They acknowledged that state creation followed constitutional procedures but noted that governors played a vital role in advancing such causes.
They described the creation of Anioma State as a win-win arrangement, noting that Asaba would naturally become the capital of the proposed state while Delta State would have the opportunity to designate a new capital elsewhere. Calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Assembly to support the bill for Anioma State, the youths reaffirmed their resolve to be reunited with their kith and kin across the Niger.
President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday night met with the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress amid plans by organised labour to stage a nationwide protest over unresolved demands.
The meeting, which took place at the State House, Abuja, followed growing tensions between the Federal Government and labour unions over issues bordering on workers’ welfare, rising cost of living and the implementation of previously agreed concessions.
Confirming the meeting in a statement issued on Tuesday night, the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to the President, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed that key stakeholders were in attendance.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu met with the leadership of the NLC, along with the chairman of Progressive Governors Forum, Hope Uzodimma, Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo and Governor of Kebbi State, Dr Nasir Idris and the Minister of State Labour, Honourable Nkeiruka Onyejeocha,” the statement partly read.
According to the statement, the Nigeria Labour Congress was led to the meeting by its national leadership.
“The chairman of the NLC, Comrade Joe Ajaero, led the labour leaders to the meeting on Tuesday night at the State House, Abuja,” it added.
PUNCH Online reports that the meeting comes against the backdrop of the NLC’s recent threat to embark on mass protests nationwide over what it described as the Federal Government’s failure to fully address workers’ demands, including relief measures to cushion the impact of economic reforms, wage-related concerns and broader socio-economic hardships faced by Nigerian workers.
Organised labour had accused the government of delaying the implementation of agreements reached in previous engagements, warning that failure to act decisively could trigger industrial unrest and street protests across major cities.
As of the time of filing this report, neither the Federal Government nor the leadership of the NLC had released details of the discussions or the outcome of the meeting.
President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed a Proclamation further restricting entry to the United States for nationals from countries deemed high-risk due to “demonstrated, persistent, and severe deficiencies in screening, vetting, and information-sharing” that threaten U.S. national security and public safety.
File photo: USA flag
Among the 15 additional countries newly subject to partial restrictions is Nigeria.
The announcement comes directly from the White House website, in a fact sheet titled “President Donald J. Trump Further Restricts and Limits the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States”, issued December 16, 2025.
Trump had earlier on October 31 declared Nigeria as a ‘country of particular concern’ in response to allegations of a Christian genocide in the country.
The African Union chief said there was no genocide in Nigeria’s volatile north. And so did ECOWAS addressing the recent surge in terrorist attacks across the region, including Nigeria, while firmly rejecting claims that these acts constitute genocide. Over and over, Tinubu, days ago, again dismissed claims that there is a Christian genocide in the country, insisting that neither Christians nor Muslims are being targeted for killing.
This had prompted series of back and forth and meeting among US Congress and individuals and the Nigerian delegation who have met both in Nigeria and US since. On December 13, a US congressman, Riley Moore, said the US and Nigeria were close to reaching a strategic security agreement aimed at addressing terrorism and sectarian violence in Nigeria.
Days earlier, he stated that the US had concluded its fact-finding mission to Nigeria over alleged genocide and is expected to brief Trump before the end of the month.
However, the latest in the series of ban on Tuesday had the White House described the action as “strengthening national security through common sense restrictions based on data.”
The Proclamation continues full restrictions and entry limitations on nationals from the original 12 high-risk countries under Proclamation 10949: Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.
It also adds full restrictions and entry limitations on five additional countries: Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, and Syria, along with individuals holding Palestinian-Authority-issued travel documents. Laos and Sierra Leone, previously subject to partial restrictions, now face full restrictions.
Nationals from Burundi, Cuba, Togo, and Venezuela remain under partial restrictions.
The Proclamation adds partial restrictions and entry limitations on 15 additional countries, including Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Tonga, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
The fact sheet notes that “exceptions for lawful permanent residents, existing visa holders, certain visa categories like athletes and diplomats, and individuals whose entry serves U.S. national interests” are included.
It also states that family-based immigrant visa carve-outs that carry “demonstrated fraud risks” have been narrowed, while case-by-case waivers remain possible.
In explaining the rationale, the White House fact sheet emphasizes that the Proclamation is necessary “to prevent the entry of foreign nationals about whom the United States lacks sufficient information to assess the risks they pose, garner cooperation from foreign governments, enforce our immigration laws, and advance other important foreign policy, national security, and counterterrorism objectives.”
The fact sheet quotes Trump directly: “It is the President’s duty to take action to ensure that those seeking to enter our country will not harm the American people.”
It adds that, after consultations with cabinet officials and assessments based on Executive Order 14161, Proclamation 10949, and country-specific information, “President Trump has determined that the entry of nationals from additional countries must be restricted or limited to protect U.S. national security and public safety interests.”
The restrictions are country-specific “in order to encourage cooperation with the subject countries in recognition of each country’s unique circumstances,” the fact sheet says, highlighting challenges such as “widespread corruption, fraudulent or unreliable civil documents and criminal records, and nonexistent birth-registration systems—systemically preventing accurate vetting.”
Some countries, it notes, “refuse to share passport exemplars or law-enforcement data,” while others allow Citizenship-by-Investment schemes that conceal identity and bypass vetting requirements.
The fact sheet also cites “high visa-overstay rates and refusal to repatriate removable nationals” and the presence of “terrorist, criminal, and extremist activity” in several restricted countries.
The White House fact sheet frames the move as part of President Trump’s ongoing national security agenda: “President Trump is keeping his promise to restore travel restrictions on dangerous countries and to secure our borders.”
It references the Supreme Court’s prior ruling on similar restrictions, noting that the Court found the policy “is squarely within the scope of Presidential authority” and that it is “expressly premised on legitimate purposes”—specifically “preventing entry of nationals who cannot be adequately vetted and inducing other nations to improve their practices.”
Finally, the fact sheet notes that Turkmenistan, which previously faced restrictions, has made progress in cooperation with the U.S., prompting the new Proclamation to lift the ban on its nonimmigrant visas while maintaining the suspension of entry for Turkmen nationals as immigrants.
From June 5 ban to national guard shooting
Two US National Guard soldiers were shot in November near the White House, officials said, and police said a suspect was detained in an extraordinary security drama likely to fuel controversy over President Donald Trump’s crime crackdown.
Reacting, Trump said that he would suspend migration from what the US leader called “third world countries”, a day after an Afghan national allegedly shot two National Guard soldiers in Washington, killing one.
His angry post, which also threatened to reverse “millions” of admissions granted under his predecessor, Joe Biden, marked a new escalation in the anti-migration stance of a second term that has been dominated by Trump’s mass deportation campaign.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration announced in the first week of December that it would review the immigration status of all permanent residents, or “Green Card” holders, from Afghanistan and 18 other countries following the attack.
U.S. officials identified the suspect in the shooting as a 29-year-old Afghan national who previously worked alongside American forces in Afghanistan.
The individual was granted asylum earlier this year, not permanent residency, according to AfghanEvac, an organisation that assists Afghans resettled in the United States after the Taliban takeover in 2021.
The review follows a June executive order from President Trump classifying 19 countries as “of Identified Concern.”
The order banned entry for nearly all nationals from 12 countries, including Afghanistan. The full list of these countries include: Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Congo-Brazzaville, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.
Barely two weeks after in June, Trump commenced plans to place a general visa ban on Nigerians.
According to a report by the Washington Post, an internal memo signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio outlined a proposal that could impose visa restrictions or entry bans on up to 36 additional nations.
These countries were expected to comply with newly established requirements from the U.S. State Department within a 60-day timeframe or face potential travel restrictions.
However, PUNCH Online reports that the timeframe elapsed in August 2025, and it was not until four months later that the new proclamation was issued.
What “Full” and “Partial” Restrictions Mean
Full bans/suspensions generally bar citizens of specified countries from entering the U.S. and block the issuance of most new immigrant and non-immigrant visas. Exceptions may still exist for lawful permanent residents, diplomats, or specific exempt categories.
Partial restrictions limit or suspend certain classes of visas (e.g., tourist, student, exchange), impose stricter vetting and shorter visa validity, and often require more rigorous screening before entry is permitted.
