Ex- justice minister Kanu Agabi leads crusade for Ogoja State

Ani Bassey 

Nigeria’s former Attorney General and Minister of Justice Kanu Agabi SAN over the weekend led supporters of the proposed Ogoja State to submit a memorandum for its creation  to the House of Representatives committee on constitutional review.

Presenting the memorandum to the committee, the learned silk said the agitation is not borne out of malice and that earlier exercises did not benefit the people of the Ogoja province.

“Our agitation is not borne out of malice. It is rooted in good faith and constitutional entitlement. The people of Ogoja have continued to suffer indignities — poor roads, lack of electricity, inadequate access to water and dysfunctional schools.

“Our young people have been brutalised mentally, and the majority live in squalor while leaders live in opulence.

“The creation of Ogoja State is a call to allow us take our destiny into our own hands. It is a cry for justice, equity and inclusion — a constitutional right, not a favour”, he said.

He added that the greatest resources of the proposed state are its people who are  intelligent, resourceful, resilient,  hardworking and God-fearing people.

The former justice minister who was backed by other stakeholders including the Movement for the creation of Ogoja State.

The movement comprises renowned stakeholders including  Justice Eneji, Johnny Agim, SAN, Justice Maurice Enamhe, CP Lawrence Alobi (rtd), Hon Cletus Obun, Hon Solomon Ekam and Asso Prof Achi Becomesm.

They collectively  argued that the people of old Ogoja Province, comprising  Yala, Ogoja, Bekwarra, Obudu and Obanliku, Boki, Ikom and Etung have faced  injustice meted out to them and demand for equity, fairness and inclusion into the nation’s scheme of things.

The stakeholders further argued that other nearby old Provinces such as Enugu, Abakaliki and Calabar had long been given states, yet Ogoja Province, which existed as a recognised administrative unit during colonial era along with above mentioned people, has remained marginalised, forgotten, denied and dehumanised in all ramifications of development because we don’t have a statement of our own.

According to them, creation of Ogoja state would bring balance, equity and justice as well as address the structural imbalance, ensure distribution of resources, promote the rich cultural heritage of the people and foster economic development among neighbouring states of Benue, Ebonyi and nearby Cameroon. 

In his address, the Cross River State governor Senator Bassey Otu  advocated for the creation of new states, greater inclusion of women and persons with disabilities in governance.

The governor who was represented by his deputy, Dr. Peter Odey  also advocated for the establishment of state police as part of ongoing efforts to amend the 1999 Constitution.

Governor Otu also disclosed that the exercise was both timely,  historic and  emphasized the need for a constitutional framework that responds to evolving political, social, and economic realities.

Leader of the Zone B Committee and Chief Whip of the House, Rt. Hon. Kingsley Chinda, assured attendees that their inputs would be accurately conveyed to the National Assembly.

He outlined 13 thematic areas under review by the committee which includes  electoral and judicial reforms, devolution of powers, fiscal federalism, traditional institutions, security and policing, and the creation of states and local governments.

In an interview after the hearing, Papa Dc Enamhe, Convener of the movement for the creation of Ogoja state, thanked various  stakeholders   for the unflinching support for the creation of Ogoja state.