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By: Ogar Emmanuel Oko
In the early 1900s, shortly after the British took control of Northern Nigeria, there were few provinces spread across the British colony. The number of provinces increased significantly in 1914 after the amalgamation of the Colony of Lagos, Northern, and Southern Protectorate. The Governor-General of Nigeria, Sir Frederick J.D. Lugard, after World War II in 1945, increased the number of provinces to 88, which comprised 18 in the Western Region, 39 in the Northern Region, and 31 in the Eastern Region.
Of all the 88 provinces, Ijebu Province, which was in the Western Region with its division in Ijebu-Ode and native authority in Ijebu-Remo, and Ogoja Province are yet to be created into states. Ogoja Province was classified into five sub-provinces in the Eastern Region. Its divisions were Abakaliki, Afikpo, Ikom, Obubra, and Ogoja itself. There were six native authorities in Abakaliki, eleven in Afikpo, and twelve in Ogoja, while Ikom and Obubra had nine each.
On May 27, 1967, via Decree No.8, Gen. Yakubu Gowon dissolved the provinces and created 12 states. Nine years later, on March 17, 1976, Gen. Murtala Mohammed created Bauchi, Benue, Borno, Imo, Niger, Ogun, and Ondo States, bringing the total to 19 states in the federation. On September 23, 1987, the military junta of Gen. Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida added two states, Akwa Ibom and Katsina, making it 21. About four years later, on August 27, 1991, nine more states were created: Abia, Delta, Edo, Jigawa, Kebbi, Osun, Kogi, Taraba, and Yobe.
When the nine states were announced, it was a disappointment to the young people of Ogoja under the aegis of the Ogoja Youth Movement (OYM), who had high expectations. The elites and powerful politicians were not surprised, as they were comfortable in Cross River State. During the military junta of IBB, many Ogoja sons were in the inner circle of the military president. Those that call the shots politically then were myopic, as such, they didn’t support the agitation for the creation of of Ogoja state.
Another opportunity presented itself in 1996, this time during the regime of Gen. Sani Abacha. There were yearnings here and there for state creation. However, our people at the top showed great apathy. On October 1st, Bayelsa, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Gombe, Nasarawa, and Zamfara states were announced. Again, Ogoja was missing.
Since the advent of democracy in 1999, a few opportunities have arisen for the case of Ogoja State to be discussed. During the National Conference in March 2014, under the administration of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, delegates from the Ogoja axis under the umbrella of Cross River State didn’t factor the Ogoja agitation into their agenda in a serious manner.
In August 2021, the Senate Committee proposed the creation of 20 new states. Apart from the constitutional requirements, the committee considered what it termed “economic viability and genuine desire of the people.” Ijebu state was captured. Sadly, Ogoja wasn’t mentioned. This omission was a result of the lack of political synergy between our legislators and the then-governor.
In July 2024, the honorable member representing Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency, Hon. Godwin Offiono, along with four others, presented a bill for the creation of Ogoja State. It has scaled the first reading. Interestingly, the caucus of the Cross River 10th National Assembly, led by Senator Jarigbe Agom of the Northern Senatorial District, Senator Eteng Williams of the Central Senatorial District, and a few House of Representatives members, voted in favor of the creation. Thanks to the unity among NASS members.
From the foregoing, it is clear that the creation of Ogoja State is long overdue. Ogoja was one of the largest provinces, and the agitation for its creation is justified. Its emergence is achievable, but its sad albatross is the petty and self-glorifying actions of a few narcissistic individuals. These individuals are overly consumed by their sense of self-importance, seeking validation for their diminished statuses. They are a small group of people parading themselves as leaders among the masses. They want to be the tritons among the minnows. They seek to introduce elements of party affiliation into the agitation. They are scared of intelligent people and often prevent anyone perceived as smart and brilliant from coming close to the struggle.
Some of these obsessed individuals are those who converted a WhatsApp support platform of a PDP candidate into what they (he) call: “Who IS WhO IN NORTHERN CROSS RIVER.” If these folks continue to spearhead the agitation, it would be needless to dissipate energy as a pitfall would be imminent.
The author is the publisher of the RABBIT PUNCH
Disclaimer: The opinion expressed in this article is strictly that of the author, Ogar Emmanuel Oko, and does not represent TheLumineNews, its agent, or the organization the author works for
