"Godwin Obla Urges for Statehood: A Call to Address Idoma Marginalization in Benue"

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Godwin Obla, has expressed concern over what he termed the unnecessary, thoughtless, and cruel marginalization of the Idoma people in Benue State, emphasizing that it is time for the Idoma nation to have its own state.

According to Daily Post, Obla made these comments during an interview with journalists at the inaugural dinner of the Idoma Hall of Fame Advisory Board, which took place in Abuja on Thursday.

He lamented what he referred to as the “unfortunate history” of the Idoma people within the Nigerian federation.

Obla pointed out that despite the Idoma being one of the few ethnic groups in Nigeria with a rich cultural and historical background, they have faced ongoing deliberate exclusion from the politics and governance of Benue State since its establishment in 1976.

“We are more than ready to have a state, and I believe the history of the Idoma people is indeed unfortunate,” he stated.

“We are among the few ethnic groups with a rich history that has been unnecessarily, thoughtlessly, and cruelly marginalized.

It is illogical that in a state created in 1976, out of three senatorial districts, the Idoma, who form a significant population in one of them, are deprived of a fair voice in the governance of the state.”

Obla contended that such exclusion indicates that the Idoma are not welcomed in Benue State, stressing that if that is indeed the case, “we require a state of our own.”

He further clarified that the demand for an Idoma State is not driven by emotion but is rooted in principles of fairness, inclusion, and justice.

“We are nationalists, and we have exercised patience for long enough. It is profoundly unjust that the circumstances in Benue State today reflect precisely what the Tiv leadership once resisted in their pursuit of self-determination,” Obla added.