Ken Okolugbo, Communication and Strategy Consultant to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, has shed light on why some people from Anioma, a region in Delta State, avoid identifying as Igbo despite their shared cultural and linguistic heritage.

Speaking on African Independent Television (AIT), Okolugbo explained that the hesitation among Anioma people to associate with the South-East is largely due to the lingering stigma from the Biafra Civil War. He said many Anioma indigenes prefer to distance themselves from the region to avoid being associated with the painful memories of the conflict. “My full name is Ekenechukwu Chikwunonazu Okolugbo, which is pure Igbo. But some of my people will say they are not Igbo because they don’t want to be identified with the South-East due to the stigma of the Biafra war,” he stated.

Okolugbo, who serves as a consultant to the Senate President, commended the 10th National Assembly for recognizing the imbalance in state distribution across the country. He pointed out 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 disadvantaged with only five states. He praised the legislature for working to address the imbalance, calling it “a step towards fairness and inclusion.”

The Senate President’s aide further highlighted ongoing discussions on state creation, including Anioma, Orashi, Adada, Etiti, and others, as part of efforts to ensure equity and national unity. He said that granting the South-East a sixth state would not only balance representation but also help reduce agitations and feelings of marginalization in the region. “If a new state is created, it will give the people a sense of belonging and help tackle grievances like the Monday sit-at-home,” he explained.

Okolugbo described Anioma State as the most viable among the proposed new states, given its strong economic potential and cultural unity. However, he admitted that the chances of creating multiple states before the end of the current administration might be slim. “It’s about one and a half years to the end of this government, but even if one new state is created, it will be a win-win situation for the Tinubu administration,” he added.