The Orashi People Sustainable Progress Forum (OPSPF) has renewed calls for the creation of Orashi State, arguing it will promote balanced development and unity among communities along the Orashi riverline in the Southeast and Southsouth. The group's Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Comrade Nwodu, made the appeal during the inauguration of the OPSPF National Leadership at Abacheke Egbema West, Imo State. He stated that Orashi, spanning parts of Bayelsa, Rivers, Imo and Anambra, remains excluded from national conversations on state creation despite its economic contributions through oil, agriculture and aquatic resources. Nwodu described the omission as neglect, saying the region suffers from poor infrastructure and human development despite its wealth. He emphasized that the forum would advocate for statehood within constitutional means, urging unity and collective action. National President of OPSPF, Sampson Chukas, criticized lawmakers for overlooking Orashi in recent state creation debates, noting that while Anim and Anioma agitations are acknowledged in the Senate, Orashi is not. Chukas attributed this to failed representation and declared that OPSPF would elevate the agitation to ensure visibility among other statehood movements. He added that existing agencies meant to support communities in the area have not delivered.
Orashi's omission from state creation debates while smaller regional agitations gain traction exposes a pattern of selective recognition in national politics. Sampson Chukas is right to point out that a movement spanning four states and two geopolitical zones should not be less visible than those with narrower reach. When representatives fail to carry such a claim to the national floor, it leaves communities to organize outside official channels just to be heard. For Nigerians in Orashi, this means development delays will persist unless political visibility translates into concrete action.
