The House of Representatives Thursday passed for second reading a bill seeking to create Ogoja state from the present Cross River state in the south-south geopolitical zone.
The bill, which is co-sponsored by Godwin Offiono from Cross River and three other lawmakers is proposing to alter the 1999 constitution to create Ogoja state from Cross River.
In his lead debate on the bill, Offiono submitted that “To fully appreciate the injustice faced by the people of Ogoja, it is essential to examine Nigeria’s history of state creation. Following the 1914 amalgamation of the Northern and Southern protectorate, 24 provinces, including Ogoja, were established”.
He posited that “Ogoja, with a population of over two million and a landmass of 12,158 square kilometres, boasts significant economic viability, driven by fertile farmlands. It is abundant in cash crops like cocoa, banana, rice, rubber, and groundnuts, and has rich mineral resources such as limestone, sodium chloride, quartz, and barite. Furthermore, the area includes notable tourism destinations like Obudu Cattle Ranch and Agbokim Waterfall.”
Speaking further, the lawmaker noted that if the state is created, there will be massive development in towns such as Obudu, Wanakom, and Gakem.
Giving a historical background of Ogoja, Offiono said “Under regional administration, from 1956 in the Eastern and Western Regions, and from 1957 in the Northern Region, these provinces persisted, including Ogoja. The era of state creation began on 27 May 1967, when the Supreme Military Council, under General Yakubu Gowon, created 12 states by grouping 10 regions, replacing the provinces.”
He stated “In the North, provinces were grouped into six states: North East, North West, North Central, Kano, Kwara, and Benue/Plateau. The Eastern Region was re-organised into three states: East Central, South East, and Rivers.
“The Western Region was divided into three states: West, Midwest, and Lagos. In 1975, seven new states were created by General Murtala Mohammed’s administration, increasing the total to 19. Further state creation in 1987 and 1991 brought the number of states to 21 and then 30, yet Ogoja was excluded each time.”
The bill was unanimously passed at the plenary presided by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas and referred to the Special Ad hoc Committee on Constitutional Review.
