By Dr. Sam Eno
Sir. Patrick Iwara making the presentation on behalf of the Abi-Yakurr delegation
PRELUDE TO HISTORY
Today,July 4, 2025, the sun rose over the town of Ikot Ekpene not just as a celestial event, but as a metaphor for clarity and conviction. It bore witness to a critical chapter in the annals of contemporary Nigerian federalism , the South-South Zonal Public Hearing on State Creation, organized by the National Assembly Committee on Constitutional Review. Among the most intellectually robust and politically mature submissions of the day was that of the Abi-Yakurr Peoples Assembly, who attended with a unified delegation of leaders, technocrats, and community representatives.
AN ATMOSPHERE CHARGED WITH HISTORIC RESPONSIBILITY
The atmosphere at the public hearing was one of dignified anticipation and civic engagement. Traditional rulers, elders, political actors, youth leaders, and civil society organizations converged to articulate their diverse aspirations for administrative restructuring and enhanced representation.
In this sea of voices, the Abi-Yakurr delegation stood out ,not for the volume of our rhetoric but for the depth of our reasoned position and the harmony of our stance. Draped not only in cultural regalia but also in the symbolic mantle of wisdom, our delegation presented a memorandum that was intellectually grounded, historically coherent, and politically strategic.
PRESENTATION OF THE the MEMORANDUM: A MOMENT OF STATESMANSHIP
The highpoint of the occasion was the presentation of the Abi-Yakurr Memorandum by the leader of the delegation Mr Patrick Iwara — a statesman of distinction whose delivery was calm yet commanding, persuasive yet non-combative. He articulated the unwavering resolve of the Abi and Yakurr peoples to remain within the territorial and administrative jurisdiction of Cross River State, even in the event of the creation of a new Ogoja State carved from the existing state.
In a masterstroke of political foresight, the delegation simultaneously endorsed the aspirations of those canvassing for the creation of Ogoja State, demonstrating that solidarity with one’s neighbors does not necessitate self-annexation or identity dilution. This duality of support and self-definition marked a moment of rare political maturity in an era often characterized by sectarian anxiety.
THE SENATE’S ’s RESPONSE: A DEMOCRATIC AFFIRMATION
Receiving the memorandum with due decorum was Senator Seriaki, who chaired the session. His reception of the document was more than procedural; it was a symbolic affirmation of the legitimacy of grassroots advocacy. Moments later, a voice note from the President of the Senate posed a probing democratic question: “Are there any dissenting voices to the creation of Ogoja State?” There were none.
The hall then reverberated with a resounding chorus of “YES” — not as a cacophony of disagreement, but as a unison of assent. The absence of dissenters reaffirmed the momentum behind the Ogoja State creation request. Importantly, the Abi-Yakurr position was preserved with integrity, without contradiction or compromise.
ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE ABI-YAKURR PEOPLES ASSEMBLY
The strategic, philosophical, and symbolic gains of the Abi-Yakurr delegation cannot be overstated. Among their chief accomplishments are:
Assertion of Identity: They unequivocally affirmed the cultural, historical, and developmental ties of Abi and Yakurr to Cross River State, countering narratives that sought to blur or co-opt their identity.
Diplomatic Dexterity: By endorsing the Ogoja State aspiration while opting out of inclusion, the delegation demonstrated solidarity without submission , a rare feat in the politics of state reconfiguration.
Institutional Legitimacy: Through our well-drafted and timely memorandum, we positioned ourselves as the authentic voice of the Abi-Yakurr bloc, recognized by both the Senate and broader South-South stakeholders.
National Recognition: Our intellectual rigor and principled stance added to the growing national profile of the Assembly as a disciplined and forward-looking regional bloc within Nigeria’s evolving federal structure.
A CHAPTER WRITTEN IN CIVIC MATURITY
What transpired in Ikot Ekpene on today was not merely a public hearing; it was the dramatization of participatory democracy in motion. The Abi-Yakurr Peoples Assembly emerged not just as attendees, but as authors of our political destiny, men and women who carried the burdens of their ancestors and the aspirations of their descendants.
History will record that, in an era of regional fragmentation and identity crises, Abi and Yakurr chose clarity over confusion, unity over annexation, and dignity over opportunism. And for this, posterity will remember us.
Mr. Patrick Iwara, chairman, Deaconess, Grace Isu Gekpe former permanent secretary federal ministry of information, Dr Helen Andom
Dr. Ben Ohen and Group Captain Ikona Eloma, (rtd)
Rekpene Bassey and Dr. Sam Eno
Dr. Mrs. Helen Adong, Chief Okoi Obono-Obla, former Presidential Adviser; Dr. Sam Eno, Secretary of Abi-Yakurr People’s Assembly
Former Minister of Niger Delta, Dr. Usani Usani
