Some Anioma People Deny Igbo Origin Because of Civil War – Akpabio’s Aide

 

Ken Okolugbo, Communication and Strategy Consultant to the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio has hailed the 10th Senate over plans to create Anioma State.

 

He also explained why some people from the Anioma area of Delta State do not identify as Igbo despite their ethnic and linguistic similarities.

 

Speaking during an interview on African Independent Television, AIT, Okolugbo said the reluctance of many Anioma people to associate with the South-East stems from the lingering stigma attached to the Biafra war.

 

He said: “My full name is Ekenechukwu Chikwunonazu Okolugbo, that is pure Igbo. But some of my people will say, no, we are not Igbo because they don’t want to be with the South-East, because of the stigma the region has always had in terms of the Biafra war. So they will tell you, no, I don’t want to be identified with the South-East.”

 

Okolugbo, who served as a consultant to the Senate President during the recent state creation deliberations, commended the 10th National Assembly for addressing the imbalance in state distribution across the country.

 

He noted that while the South-West, South-South, North-Central, and North-East each have six states, and the North-West has seven, the South-East remains with only five — a situation he described as inequitable.

“I give it to the 10th National Assembly for realizing that this imbalance has to be taken care of. It is not just about agitation for states, it is about fairness,” he said.

 

According to him, the proposal to create new states, including Anioma, Orashi, Adada, Etiti, and others, was part of efforts to promote inclusivity and reduce agitations in the South-East.

 

He added that granting the South-East a sixth state would help douse regional tension and send a strong message of equity and reconciliation.

 

“One of the reasons we have unrest in the South-East has been marginalization. If a new state is created, it will give the people a sense of belonging and help address some of the grievances fueling the Monday sit-at-home,” he said.

 

Okolugbo described Anioma State as the most viable among the seven proposed new states, though he acknowledged that other regions also have legitimate claims.

 

“It’s one and a half years into the life of this administration. I don’t think so many states can be created. But if even one is created, it will be a win-win situation for the Tinubu administration,” he added.