Former Inspector General of Police, Mike Okiro, alongside leaders of the Egbema ethnic nationality in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA) of Rivers State, has called on the Federal Government and the National Assembly to allow the community to determine its political future amid ongoing state creation proposals.
The stance was adopted during a meeting of Ogbakor Egbema Alinso in Port Harcourt, where leaders discussed the potential impact of proposed new states in the eastern region. They urged lawmakers to respect the community’s right to deliberate and make decisions independently, rather than imposing external affiliations.
Speaking to journalists, Okiro emphasized collective decision-making, saying the issue concerns all members of the Egbema community. “This is not about a single person; everybody has a stake in it. Our people will meet, discuss, and decide where to go. We should be allowed to make an input and determine our own future,” he stated. He also called on the National Assembly to await the outcome of the community’s consultations before taking further action.
National President General of Ogbakor Egbema Alinso, Ifi Francis Igwebuike, reaffirmed the group’s position, stressing that Egbema people do not belong to the South-East. “On the Anim state creation, the whole of Egbema people have resolved that no part of Egbema shall join Anioma, Anim, Orlu, or any other proposed South-Eastern state. We know our roots,” he said.
Igwebuike added that the community prefers to remain in the South-South region, either by consolidating within Rivers State or joining any new state created in the zone. “Instead of the federal government detaching any part of Egbema, we would prefer to return fully to Rivers State. Those parts of Egbema currently outside Rivers State should rejoin their kinsmen, or we can collectively join any state created within the South-South. That is our resolution, and that is what we stand for,” he concluded.
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