Former governor of Cross River State, Dr Clement Ebri, former chief of Naval workers, Admiral Ibok Ette Ibas and former minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Usani Usani, are amongst main leaders within the state which have faulted the request for the creation of Ogoja State
They defined that the proponents for the brand new state ought to not have included Abi and Yakurr native authorities areas of the state that are in central Cross River State as a part of the elements to make up Ogoja State.
In a petition dated 4th July 2024 to the management of the Home of Representatives, they blamed the proponents for not consulting them earlier than submitting their proposal to the Home of Representatives Committee on Constitutional Assessment.
The proponents had mentioned that their proposal represents the pursuits of the folks of the Northern and Central Senatorial Districts of Cross River State, comprising 11 native authorities areas: Abi, Boki, Bekwarra, Etung, Ikom, Obubra, Obudu, Obanliku, Ogoja, Yakurr and Yala.
They careworn that the promoters of this state creation motion erroneously included Abi and Yakurr Native Authorities Areas of Cross River State with out the consent of their folks, stressing that they can’t be compelled to affix any state.
“They didn’t seek the advice of adequately with the folks of Abi and Yakurr Native Authorities Areas that are within the central district earlier than together with them within the proposed Ogoja State.
“This lack of session and disrespect for the views of the folks of Abi and Yakurr Native Authorities Areas is unacceptable. Below each municipal and worldwide legislation, we’ve got the correct to self-determination, and no particular person or group has the correct to coerce us into being a part of a state in opposition to our will.
These stakeholders argued that the folks of Abi and Yakurr Native Authorities Areas have the elemental and inalienable rights to train self-determination and freedom of affiliation as enshrined within the Structure of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999, as amended).
They insisted that the folks of Abi and Yakurr Native Authorities Areas categorically disassociated themselves from the proposal to incorporate them within the proposed Ogoja State, urging the management of the Home of Representatives to ignore any reference to Abi and Yakurr within the memorandum submitted for the creation of Ogoja State.
Different key leaders that signed the petition included the member representing Abi federal constituency Dr Alex Egbonna, chairman of the state conventional rulers council and paramount ruler of Abi LGA, Obol Lopon of Ugep and paramount ruler of Yakurr LGA, quick previous Nigeria’s excessive commissioner to Ghana, Dr Grace Isu Gakpe in addition to former presidential aide, Chief Okoi Obono-Obla.
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