Ogoja State advocates ready to welcome other ethnic groups – Convener
Advocates of the creation of Ogoja State from nine local government areas of Cross River State have said they will not block other ethnic groups in nearby Benue State or other states from joining them.
But they have insisted that such ethnic groups must make their intentions known to the relevant committees of the National Assembly.
Papa Dorn Cklaimz Enamhe, Convener of Movement for the Creation of Ogoja State, disclosed this to DAILY POST exclusively while reacting to the desire of the Igede ethnic group in Benue State to be part of the Ogoja State movement.
The Igede ethnic group formally requested to separate from Benue and be incorporated into the proposed Ogoja State. The request is currently before the National Assembly.
They made the appeal during the North-Central public hearing on constitutional review, held in Lafia, Nasarawa State, on Wednesday.
Their presenter, Ben Obega had emphasized their historical ties to the old Ogoja Province in Cross River State.
In his reaction, the convener of the Ogoja State Movement, Papa Enamhe said, “All I can say is it’s the beauty of democracy.
“The Igede people have a right to choose to belong to Ogoja State but they have to send their Proposal to Ben Kalu’s committee and the Senator Seriake Dickson’s committee.
“I know they attended the Ikom and Ogoja town hall meetings. Historically the Igede -Agba people are children of the enlarged Agba family.”
He maintained that for the Igede to join the movement is a constitutional matter “where their elected members and their people will have to go to the National Assembly and do the needful”.
According to Enamhe, Ogoja State is highly favored to be created being the only province alongside Ijebu Province not yet turned into a state.
Ogoja State advocates ready to welcome other ethnic groups – Convener
