Tension is rising in Akwa Ibom State as the Ibibio people, the largest ethnic group in the state, have strongly opposed a proposal to create a new Obolo State from parts of Akwa Ibom and Rivers States.
During a public hearing on the review of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution held on Friday in Ikot Ekpene and declared open by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the Ibibio traditional council, known as Ifim Ibom Ibibio, made their stance clear.
Representing the council, Dr. Samuel Udonsak, President-General of the Ekid People’s Union, stated that although the Ibibios are not against the creation of new states, they will not allow any part of their ancestral land to be taken for the proposed Obolo State.
He accused the Obolo people living in Eastern Obolo and Ibeno of being “squatters” on Ibibio land and added that these lands were leased to the Obolo ancestors on a royalty-paying basis.
Udonsak acknowledged that people across Nigeria have submitted various requests for new states as part of the ongoing constitutional amendment process, including one for Obolo State.
However, he stated that the Ibibio people occupy 16 of Akwa Ibom’s 31 local government areas (LGAs), and none of these should be touched for the creation of any new state unless the Ibibios themselves request it.
He cited a government-approved and gazetted map dated April 27, 2023, which outlines the official boundaries of the Ibibio LGAs ranging from Uyo and Eket to Nsit Ibom and Onna.
Udonsak firmly declared that no village or inch of these areas should be included in the proposed Obolo State, adding that this decision is supported by Ibibios at home and abroad.
While reaffirming their peaceful coexistence with other ethnic groups like the Annang, Oro, Ibeno, and Obolo, Udonsak insisted that respecting ancestral land boundaries is non-negotiable.
Meanwhile, the Obolo people, during their own presentation at the public hearing, argued that they deserve a separate state due to years of marginalisation in Akwa Ibom.
