Politics

No Ibibio land will be annexed for proposed Obollo State – Ex-minister Essien to agitators

Published

4 months ago

August 2, 2025

A former minister of Lands and Urban Development, Chief Nduese Essien, has warned those agitating for the creation of Obollo State that no part of Ibibio land would be annexed to them.

Essien who spoke at the installation of His Eminence Ntenyin (Dr) Solomon Daniel Etuk as the 4th Grand Patron of Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio, said the renewed agitation by Obollo people for a separate state is a ploy “to grab Ibibio land”.

Recall that the people of Oro, Ibeno and Eastern Obolo local governments in Akwa Ibom have been championing the creation of Obollo State.

Essien, a former two term member of House of Representatives, claimed that the agitation for the state creation by the Obollos was an attempt to seize control of the Ibibio coastline, particularly the Stubbs Creek Forest, which he said had been lawfully defended by the Ibibio people up to the Privy Council in London.
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He said, “Let me emphasise unambiguously: any attempt to appropriate Ibibio land must be vehemently rejected at all times. The ill-fated expedition has been exposed and must come to an end. No part of Ibibio land will be annexed.”
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‎Essien recalled successive agitations by the Obollos which had met a brickwall, saying the current wave holds no water.

“The second wave of aggression through violence in 1993 was halted by the Justice Ephraim Akpata Commission of Inquiry, and a third in 2014 during the National Conference, where collaborators sought to merge the area with a part the neighbouring River State for a proposed Oil Rivers State,” he added.
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Speaking on the installation of the Oku Ibom Ibibio as the Grand Patron of Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio, Essien challenged other sociocultural organizations to rise beyond ceremonial functions and play a stronger role in protecting Ibibio heritage, advocating for justice and voicing influential opinions on national discourse, instead of praising political establishments.
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‎Essien commended Mboho’s achievements since its establishment in 1987, including the setting up of educational institutions, agricultural enterprises, tourism outfits and cultural initiatives, but urged its leadership to resist being used as a platform for personal political ambition.

He also described the Oku Ibom as a link between the ‘glorious past, our beautiful present, and the promise of a bright future”.
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Politics

BREAKING: Osun Governor Ademola Adeleke Joins Accord Party

Published

12 hours ago

December 9, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

In the letter, Adeleke attributed his exit to the crisis at the national level.

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has announced his defection to a new political party.

Adeleke recently resigned from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), citing internal crises within the party.

According to a letter addressed to the PDP Chairman of Ward 2, Sagba Abogunde, in Ede North Local Government Area, the governor formally withdrew from the party on November 4, 2025.

In the letter, Adeleke attributed his exit to the crisis at the national level.

“Due to the current crisis within the national leadership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), I hereby resign my membership of the People’s Democratic Party with immediate effect,” the letter read.

Adeleke, who rose to political prominence through the PDP, expressed gratitude for the role the party played in his political journey.

“I thank the People’s Democratic Party for the opportunities given to me for my elections as a Senator (Represented Osun West) and as Governor of Osun State under the People’s Democratic Party,” he stated.

In an announcement on Tuesday evening monitored by SaharaReporters, Adeleke unveiled his new political platform as the Accord Party.

SaharaReporters had earlier reported indications that he would join the Accord Party, citing sources familiar with developments in the state.

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Politics

State House of Assembly suspends Local Govt chairman

Published

12 hours ago

December 9, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

State House of Assembly suspends LG chairman

The Nasarawa State House of Assembly has suspended the Chairman of Lafia Local Government, Mohammad Haliru Arabo, for three months over his role in the unlawful removal of the council’s Speaker.

The decision was taken during plenary in Lafia after a motion was raised by Musa Ibrahim Abubakar, who leads the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

Lawmakers agreed that the action was needed to allow a fair investigation and calm the tension that followed the leadership dispute in the council.

The Speaker of the House, Danladi Jatau, said the suspension will stand until the committee completes its findings.

He said that the current structure of the Lafia Legislative Arm will remain unchanged throughout the investigation.

During this period, the Deputy Chairman of Lafia Local Government, Uba Arikiya, has been directed to take charge of the council.

The Speaker explained that the House acted within the powers given to it by the constitution and questioned why the Chairman ventured into matters that belong to the legislature.

The Clerk of the House has been asked to notify Governor Abdullahi Sule of the resolution.

Lawmakers such as Hajarat Danyaro Ibrahim, Mohammed Garba Isimbabi, Suleiman Yakubu Azara, and Larry Ven-Bawa backed the move, saying that the suspension would help prevent a wider crisis in the council and send a clear message to other local governments in the state.