State Creation: Egbema unites, demands creation of Orashi State, LGAs

By Austin Okoro  – Owerri Imo State

The entire people of Egbema in Rivers and Imo States have united and agreed to be in one state that will be created out of South-East and South-South by the current administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The people of Egbema gathered in their numbers on the 6th of September 2025 at the palace of HRH Eze Chadwick Ogor, the paramount ruler of Mgbede autonomous community under a program titled,  “Egbema General Congress” and resolved to be united under one state that will be created soon.

Speaking during the Congress, the Chief Convener of the event, Barr. Prince Nwakibea said, Elders, Opinion leaders, Women leaders, the church, the youths and the traditional institutions met at the palace of HRH Eze Chadwick Ogor in Mgbede Egbema, Rivers state and everyone resolved that Egbema will to be united in one state called Orashi state.

Barr. Nwakibea noted that Egbema did not only want to be united in one state but needs at least five local government areas to be created.

“Egbema in both Imo and Rivers States have over 120 communities and our local governments if created will be viable because we have abundant human and natural resources”, he stated.

The Chairman of the programme, Rev Dr J.C. Omaegbu said  the essence of the gardering was to let the world know that Egbema Nationality is one indivisible community created by God.

Adding that culturally, geographically, and otherwise, Egbema is one people but state creation divided her into two states.

“And now we are crying like our fathers did to be reunited under a state now that Nigeria is talking about state creation and our preferred state is Orashi which is one of the states seeking to be created”, Omaegbu said.

The Paramount Ruler of Mgbede Community, HRH Eze Chadwick Ogor said the heart and soul of the entire Egbema person longs for unity.

“The time has come now for that to be achieved; and with the level of enlightenment of our young men and women, we are together in this accord”,  Eze Ogbagu noted.

A leader from the women folks, Dr Blessing Obidike said the importance of unifying Egbema in one state cannot be overemphasized.

“Egbema is long overdue to be unified as one, whether in Rivers state, or in a new state, that will soon be created,”, she said.

The Egbema Youth President, Mr Henry Alimezie said whatever resolution that Egbema people have taken, the youths of Egbema are 100% in support of it.

Dr Uche Mike Chukwuma, former Assistant Commissioner of Police  thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for giving Egbema
the opportunity to get back themselves and live together.

He emphasized that Egbema has suffered marginalization in both Imo and Rivers States because of the division, adding that the mineral deposits in Egbema land are being exploited and siphoned by people of other clans.

Barr. Prince Nwakibea hinted that
Every Egbema man wants to be in one state, and we feel really marginalized in Imo State stressing that Imo State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (ISOPADEC) have been doing projects in other areas that don’t have oil while Egbema suffer.

It was gathered that the old Egbema, made up of sixteen communities were together in old Ahoada province but was divided by the creation of Imo and Rivers States in 1976. Thirteen communities were ceded to Imo State while three communities remained in Rivers State.

The 16 communities have since grown and developed into over 120 communities, our reporter gathered.