The agitation for the creation of Ogoja State has gained renewed momentum as residents intensify their demand for political autonomy and recognition, citing decades of institutional neglect and systemic marginalization in Cross River State.
In an interview on Tuesday at Ogoja LGA residents of Ogoja, Boki and Yala Local Government Area, the people expressed frustration, lack of access to basic infrastructure, including portable water, electricity, standard roads, educational facilities, and healthcare services, calling on the Federal Government to grant full autonomy as independent state.
They lamented that despite contributing significantly to the state’s wealth through agriculture and natural produce, the region has been deliberately excluded from meaningful development, political appointments, and resource allocation.
One of the residents who identified himself as Prince Bassey Okon, stated that if Ogoja state is created it would be the best thing ever happened in the history of Ogoja people. According to him “It would be quite very historic because Ogoja State is one of the best state in Nigeria. And it will be total redemption to the Ogoja people.”
He said, “I have gone around states in Nigeria and Cross River state is one of the states that you could drive seven hours or more if you want to leave Bakassi LGA and go to Obudu, Ogoja, Obanliku, Bekwara. You could do seven, eight hours on the road. You rarely could drive four hours, five hours in some states before you get to the next State rarely in Nigeria. But in Cross River, you can be on the road for some hours before you cross to another LGA. So creation of this state for Ogoja people will be the best thing.”
“They have the infrastructure, they have what it takes to be a state of their own. So the prayer before Mr. President, before the senate that Ogoja state should be granted, would be the best thing that would ever happen. If Ogoja state is created, it will help redeem the people of Ogoja and the close local government areas”, Okon added.
Tony Etui said, “Ogoja state has the required capacity, it has economic viability. Do you know that most of the resources, take for instance timber, that the timber coming out from the region, which is Etung, Boki, Ogoja, is what is feeding most of the states in South-South, not even only the state. In Nigeria, foreigners come here, explore timber and then export them outside. We need a state of our own.”
Mrs, Ofong Ibana of Yala LGA stated, “Ogoja people provide yam for almost all the states in South-South, not even only South-South, Nigeria as a whole. So we have the economic resources to be independent on our own. I know the leaders we have, some will support, some will not support. I remember some years ago that there was a state conference that the proposal for Ogoja state creation was a major topic for that discussion, but some leaders actually opposed because of their selfishness. But they forgot that if Ogoja State is created, the benefits would be broader than what they expected.”
