By AHMED UBANDOMA

The people of Abi and Yakurr Local Government Areas (LGAs), in the Central Senatorial District of Cross River, have dissociated themselves from the agitation for the creation of Ogoja State.

The people from the two local government areas, under the aegis of Abi-Yakurr Peoples Assembly, made their intention known in a communiqué issued after a joint meeting and a visit to Gov. Bassey Out.

The communiqué signed by Dr Sam Eno, the Secretary of the Assembly, was made available to newsmen on Monday in Abuja.

The Assembly contended that the inclusion of Abi and Yakurr among the 11 local government areas proposed to the National Assembly, to constitute Ogoja State was done in error.

They said they had protested the inclusion of their local government areas in a letter written to Mr Kanu Agabi (SAN), a former Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, who is the leader of Ogoja State Creation Forum.

The people noted that while they were not opposed to the creation of the new Ogoja state, they preferred to remain within Cross River.

“The meeting have affirmed the inherent right of the Abi and Yakurr People to decide their political allegiance. It was unequivocally agreed that the Abi and Yakurr people desire to remain within Cross River State.

“The importance of the Abi and Yakurr Peoples remaining within Cross River State was underscored as a critical element of their collective identity and future prosperity.

“There was also unanimous support for the creation of Ogoja State. The meeting recognised that the creation of an additional state from the current Cross River State will likely foster significant economic development.

“However, it was emphasised that Abi and Yakurr will continue to be part of Cross River State,” the communiqué read in part.

On the visit to the governor, the assembly said they presented a formal declaration of their unwavering resolve to remain an integral part of Cross River State, contingent upon the prospective creation of Ogoja State.

They said the governor, on his part, expressed support for the Abi-Yakurr people’s preference to remain within Cross River State, recognising the enduring cultural and historical connections that bind them.

The governor also briefed the assembly on his strategic efforts to reclaim the 98 oil wells that were extricated from Cross River State, a move pivotal to the state’s economic revitalization.

It would be recalled that there has been agitation for the creation of Ogoja State, to compose of the six LGAs in the Central Senatorial District and the five LGAs in the Northern Senatorial District of the state.

The LGAs in the Central Senatorial District of the state are, Yakurr, Abi, Obubra, Etung, Ikom and Boki while the Northern Senatorial District included Obanliku, Yala, Ogoja, Bekwarra and Obudu LGAs. (NAN)

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