Obolo: Akwa Ibom groups clash in Calabar over demands for new state

Many groups that traveled from Akwa Ibom State to Calabar, capital of Cross River State, venue for the South-South Centre B Zonal Public Hearing on the amendment of the 1999 Constitution, clashed over their demands for the creation of Obolo State from present Akwa Ibom State.

Pro-groups and anti-groups competed in shouting matches and for spaces to display their banners and posters at the venue in a bid to arrest the attention of the lawmakers and other dignitaries present.

Some of the banners against the creation of Obolo State carried inscriptions such as: We Say No to Obolo State on Ibibio Ancestral Land, Don’t Create Obolo State, Entire Akwa Ibom Coastline is Ibibioland, No Inch of Ibibio Land Will Be Ceded to Settlers for a State.

Pro-banners had messages like: Please Create Obolo State. We’re Marginalized, We’re Tired of Deprivations, We Own Oil Wells But No Development, etc.

The pro-groups demanding the creation of Obolo State, which they listed should comprise the five existing LGAs making up Oro Nation in Akwa Ibom—such as Oron, Okobo, Uruefong Oruko, Mbo, Udung Uko, as well as Ibeno, Eastern Obolo, and Andoni in Rivers State, complained of alleged “mindless marginalization” and deprivation by the domineering and majority Ibibio people.

They insisted that they can no longer be denied their freedom and greater opportunities, including infrastructure and development.

They refuted the claims by the larger ethnic group of Ibibio that they are settlers on their lands.

Speaking about the imperatives for the creation of Obolo State, President General of Oro-Obolo Peoples’ Union, Engr. Ngerebara Sampson Adumu, said the creation of Obolo State will right historical wrongs and unlock the vast potentials of the people to the country.

Citing historical and legal documents, Adumu refuted the claims by mainland people of Akwa Ibom State that the people who constitute the Obolo are settlers.

Pleading with the National Assembly to consider the creation of Obolo State, he disclosed that they have a population of over 1.3 million and vast oil potentials, and can survive as a state.

“The claims of Ekid-Ibibio ownership over Obolo, particularly Ibeno lands, are unfounded in law and history, with no credible evidence supporting them.

“We’re not settlers. We have a centuries-long history of habitation along the Atlantic coast, with a distinct cultural identity shaped by our maritime traditions and trade with European merchants dating back to the 17th century.”

One of the leaders of the Ibibio groups, Chief Umoh Ime, insisted that historically the Obolos were originally fishermen who came from today’s Rivers State and were allotted the lands by their forebears.

“They can’t come to claim our lands. They should leave the land, as we shall never cede any parts for a state to be created inside our state.”

Addressing journalists, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review, Mr. Kingsley Chinda, disclosed that the idea of holding zonal engagement was for the Representatives to speak with the people on their concerns on the 1999 Constitution.

Chinda, who is the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, said they want to ensure that Nigerians own their constitution by making inputs on its amendment.

“We want to make our Constitution one that is owned by the people, which is why we are speaking with the people who elected us.

“In this Centre B, we have discussed with the people of Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River, and we have gotten their inputs. We will take these inputs back to the Parliament for further deliberations,” he noted.

“Some of these inputs will reflect in the about-to-be-amended Constitution, but it would be sent to state assemblies to look at and return to them to conclude actions.”

Several groups from Akwa Ibom, Rivers, and Cross River States attended the session and made their presentations.

Two groups from Rivers State also presented their pleas for the creation of Bori and Atlantic City States.

Movement for the Creation of Ogoja State also made input.

Obolo: Akwa Ibom groups clash in Calabar over demands for new state