Prominent leaders in Cross River State have kicked against proposition to create Ogoja State by a group which responded to the request from the House of Representatives Committee on Constitutional Review.
The proponents had said that their proposal represents the interests of the people of the Northern and Central Senatorial Districts of Cross River State, comprising 11 local government areas: Abi, Boki, Bekwarra, Etung, Ikom, Obubra, Obudu, Obanliku, Ogoja, Yakurr and Yala.
Some of these prominent citizens include former governor of the state, Dr Clement Ebri, former chief of Naval staff, Admiral Ibok Ette Ibas, former minister of Niger Delta Affairs Usani Usani, member House of Representatives Dr Alex Egbona, Chairman of the Cross River State Traditional Rulers Council and Paramount Ruler of Abi,the Obol Lopon of Ugep and Paramount Ruler of Yakurr,
immediate past Nigeria High Commissioner to Ghana,Dr Grace Isu Gakpe, former presidential aide Okoi Obono-Obla, amongst others.
In their petition dated, 4th July 2024 they have protested against the inclusion of Abi and Yakurr Local Government Areas amongst the local government areas they listed as possible component units to form the Ogoja State.
They faulted the promoters of the Ogoja State creation, saying they did not consult with them to know if they might like to be part of the proposed state.
They stressed that the promoters of this state creation movement erroneously included Abi and Yakurr Local Government Areas of Cross River State without the consent of their people, stressing that they cannot be forced to join any state.
“They failed to consult adequately with the people of Abi and Yakurr Local Government Areas which are in the central district before including them in the proposed Ogoja State.
“This lack of consultation and disregard for the views of the people of Abi and Yakurr Local Government Areas is unacceptable. Under both municipal and international law, we have the right to self-determination, and no person or group has the right to coerce us into being part of a state against our will.
These stakeholders argued that the people of Abi and Yakurr Local Government Areas have the fundamental and inalienable rights to exercise self-determination and freedom of association as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999, as amended).
They insisted that the people of Abi and Yakurr Local Government Areas categorically disassociated themselves from the proposal to include them in the proposed Ogoja State, urging the leadership of the House of Representatives to disregard any reference to Abi and Yakurr in the memorandum submitted for the creation of Ogoja State.
They recalled history of the old Ogoja Province in the defunct Eastern Regon how it was established under the Sir Arthur Richard Constitution in 1945, disclosing that it comprised of Abakaliki, Obubra, Obudu, Ikom, and Ogoja Divisions.
They said the old Calabar Province included Abak, Eket, Calabar, Enyong Aro, Enyong Itu, Ikot Ekpene, Opobo, and Uyo Divisions.
“In 1967, the creation of 12 states led to the establishment of the South Eastern, East Central, and Rivers States from the Eastern Group of Provinces. The South Eastern State included parts of both the old Calabar and Ogoja Provinces, with some divisions like Afikpo and Abakaliki going to East Central State.
“Further state creation in 1976 led to Anambra and Imo States being carved out of East Central State, placing Afikpo and Abakaliki in Anambra, and Afikpo and Arochukwu in Imo. In 1991, further divisions created Abia and Ebonyi States, incorporating these areas accordingly.
“The old Calabar and Ogoja Provinces have been divided into Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Abia, and Ebonyi States by the laws enacted in 1967, 1976, 1988, and 1991. Thus, the inclusion of Abi and Yakurr Local Government Areas in the proposed Ogoja State based on their historical association with the defunct Ogoja Province is legally untenable.”
