By Nelson Utip
The Ibibios the Fourth Largest Ethnic Nationality in Nigeria have vehemently opposed the demand for the creation of an Obolo state from Akwa Ibom state, seeing it as an expansionist ambition of an ethnic group and an encroachment into Ibibioland.
Ifim Ibom Ibibio, the highest traditional leadership institution in Akwa Ibom, stated this in n their memorandum during the South South zone public hearing on the review of the 1999 constitution at The Four Point by Sheraton hotel, Ikot Ekpene in Akwa Ibom State.
The public hearing on the amendment of the 1999 Constitution for the Southsouth Zone was declared open on Friday July 4 at Ikot Ekpene by the Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The memorandum was presented by Dr. Samuel Udonsak, the President-General of Ekid People’s Union on behalf of the Ifim Ibom Ibibio. The Ibibios are the largest ethnic group in the state.
Udonsak clearly stated that the Ibibios are not opposed to the creation of new states in the country but the Obolo people in Ibeno and Eastern Obolo are squatters on Ibibio lands who are enjoying the benevolence of the forefathers of Ibibioland who allowed them to build huts to repair their nets and lay down their heads after their fishing expedition of the day. He said that they have no right whatsoever to create a state on Ibibioland.
“In the current constitutional amendment process/exercise, Ifim Ibom Ibibio notes that Nigerian people have made requests to the National Assembly for the creation of 31 additional (new) States across the six geopolitical zones of the country.
“As shown in the public hearing invitation document recently published by the Senate Committee on the Review of the Constitution, we know and note in particular that there is a request for the creation of Obolo State from the present Akwa Ibom State and Rivers State of South-South Nigeria.
“The Obolo people in Akwa Ibom State seeking a separate State of their own, currently live in Eastern Obolo Local Government Area (LGA), one of the 31 LGAs in the State, together with the Ibibio people (in 16 LGAs), the Annang people (in 8 LGAs), the Oro people (in 5 LGAs), and the Ibeno people (in one LGA).
“As earlier precisely indicated in Subsection 1.1 above, Ifim Ibom Ibibio recognizes and respects the right of the Obolo people currently living in Eastern Obolo LGA of Akwa Ibom State, to seek a geopolitical entity (a State) of their own.
“Ifim Ibom Ibibio, however, firmly holds the position that no part, no inch of Ibibio land, in any of the16 Ibibio LGAs shall be excised or carved out to create Obolo State, or any other State for that matter, which is not formally, legitimately and collectively demanded by Ibibio people, the owners of the ancestral lands they occupy”. The Memorandum read in part.
“For the clarity of the matter, it should be noted that the following 16 of the 31 LGAs of Akwa Ibom State, as listed in the FIRST SCHEDULE (SECTION 3) PART 1 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, are Ibibio LGAs: Eket, Esit Eket, Etinan, Ibesikpo Asutan, Ibiono Ibom, Ikono, Ikot Abasi, Ini, Itu, MkpatEnin, Nsit Atai, Nsit Ibom, Nsit Ubium, Onna, Uruan and Uyo.
“The ancestral/authentic boundaries of these LGAs are clearly demarcated and delineated in the APPROVED, OFFICIAL, AND GAZETTED (APRIL 27, 2023) MAP OF AKWA IBOM STATE.
“In sum, the position of Ifim Ibom Ibibio and all Ibibio people at large, home and in the diaspora, is that no village, no section, no part, no inch of any of these Ibibio LGAs shall be made part of the proposed Obolo State, or any other State.
“As evident from established historical facts, all the parcels of land currently occupied by the Obolo people in the Eastern Obolo LGA of Akwa Ibom State were leased to their forebears by the Ibibio people on a royalty-paying basis.
“As a people, the Ibibio have been living in harmony with their kith and kin from the Annang, Oro, Ibeno, and Obolo ethnic extractions in Akwa Ibom State.
“Ifim Ibom Ibibio and Ibibio people at large, have no problem with the request of their Obolo brothers and sisters for the creation of Obolo State for their separate identity.
“However, the Ibibio are totally opposed to the annexture of any part, any inch of Ibibio land to the proposed Obolo State. This is our firm conclusion and position on the matter.”
The Memorandum concluded.
Meanwhile at the same venue, The Obolo people in their memorandum insisted on a state of their own saying , citing marginalization in the present Akwa Ibom state.
The Event was declared open by The Senate President, Godswil Akpabio, who promised to make the South South voice heard at the centre
The Constitutional Review Panel was Chaired by Distinguished Senator Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State. Group from all over the zone were present and presented their memoranda.
Some of the groups were, Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio, led by The 11th International President, Akparawa James Edet, NPOM
Anioma State Movement, Ekid Union, Nigeria Labour Congress, Network of Women with Disabilities, Akwa Ibom South Democratic Coalition among others.
