National Telescope national telescope newspaper
By Paulinus Nta, Akwa Ibom
The Paramount Ruler of Ibeno Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, Owong Effiong Bassey Archianga (JP), has called for the creation of Obolo State from the existing Akwa Ibom State.
Addressing the media at his palace, the Ibeno monarch, an Obolo indigene, expressed the community’s desire for their state, citing consistent marginalisation and political imbalance by the state’s dominant Ibibio group.
Owong Archianga lamented that both the past and present state administrations have overlooked appointing Obolo sons and daughters to the State Executive Council, despite their significant contributions to the state’s economy.
He criticised the lack of government infrastructural development and visible government presence in Ibeno and the broader Obolo community.
The monarch appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene in the matter, emphasising the need for Obolo State to foster a sense of belonging among its people.
He stated, “Mr. President should also create for us a separate Obolo State as serious hatred has erupted so much.”
As the Life Patron of the Traditional Rulers of Oil Mineral Producing Communities in Nigeria (TROMPCOM), Owong Archianga also addressed the recent remapping of Obolo Local Government Areas by former Governor Udom Emmanuel.
He called on the current state administration to reconsider the issue, advocating for fair treatment of the Obolo community.
He further urged President Tinubu to abolish the Anti-Remapping law enacted by the previous administration, which he claimed was driven by interests in the oil, gas, and mineral resources of Obolo Local Government Areas.
He argued that the law hinders peaceful coexistence among the state’s ethnic groups.
Commenting on the ongoing #EndBadGovernanceProtest, the traditional leader advised Akwa Ibom residents to avoid actions that could disrupt the state’s peace.
He acknowledged the severe economic challenges facing Nigerians, exacerbated by recent reforms under President Tinubu, but called for patience and understanding, expressing hope that the country would overcome the current hardship.
The meeting was attended by his wife, Obongawan Theresa Archianga; village heads from across the local government; his special assistant, Chief Udofia Okon Udofia; and various youth and women groups led by Comrade James Joseph and Maurine Anthony Effiong.
