By Joe Udo
CALABAR (CONVERSEER) – The Ibibio ethnic nationality has firmly rejected the inclusion of any part of its ancestral land in the proposed Obolo State, warning against attempts to alter the territorial integrity of its communities under the guise of state creation.
This strong stance was presented during the South South zonal public hearing on the 2025 Constitution Amendment, held on Saturday, 19th July, at the Metropolitan Hotel in Calabar, Cross River State.
The creation of Obolo State is being agitated for by the Oro, Ibeno, and Eastern Obolo people. However, the Ibibio delegation, in a detailed memorandum submitted to the House of Representatives Constitution Review Committee, strongly opposed the move.
Presenting the memorandum on behalf of Ibibio traditional rulers, the council of elders, and other stakeholders, Dr Samuel Udonsak stated that no part of the Ibibio ancestral homeland would be surrendered for the proposed state.
Quoting the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Ibibio representatives highlighted that all 31 local government areas (LGAs) of Akwa Ibom State, including the coastal oil-rich LGAs of Esit Eket, Eket, Onna, Ikot Abasi, and Mkpat Enin, are historically Ibibio lands.
The memorandum specifically cited the First Schedule, Section 3, Part I of the Constitution, and the Akwa Ibom State Map Establishment Law No. 10 of 27th April 2023, which legally defines the geographical boundaries of Ibibio territories.
“No village, section, part, or inch of Ibibio land within these LGAs shall be ceded to the proposed Obolo State or any other entity,” the Ibibio delegation declared.
The memo further asserted that the areas currently occupied by the Obolo and Ibeno people were originally Ibibio lands, leased to those communities with royalty obligations.
The Ibibio people expressed particular concern that their coastal and resource-rich LGAs are being targeted for inclusion in the proposed Obolo State, describing such a plan as not only historically inaccurate but geographically impracticable.
According to the document, “The plan to stretch the proposed Obolo State from Oron Federal Constituency through Ibeno to Eastern Obolo is geographically impossible, as these areas lack direct land contiguity. Between them lie Ibibio LGAs, whose ancestral lands cannot and will not be ceded.”
While affirming their respect for the self-determination rights of other ethnic groups, the Ibibio leaders clarified that they do not oppose the creation of an Oro State, which they say is feasible due to the contiguity of its five LGAs.
However, they contended that Ibeno has no land contiguity with either Mbo or Eastern Obolo, while Eastern Obolo shares no boundary with Andoni or Ibeno, as Ibibio lands separate them.
“In simple terms, what lies between these areas is Ibibio land — and that shall not be violated,” they stated.
The Ibibio ethnic group concluded by reiterating their unequivocal position: “We do not want Obolo State to be created on an inch of Ibibio land.”
