By Amgbare Ekaunkumo, Yenagoa
The Engenni-speaking Ijaw people of Rivers State have passionately called for their inclusion in Bayelsa State during a public hearing organized by the House of Representatives Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, held in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.
The hearing, part of a nationwide constitutional review aimed at addressing issues such as state creation and restructuring, provided the Engenni people a platform to voice their long-standing demand—anchored in cultural, linguistic, historical, and developmental aspirations.
A delegation of traditional rulers, community leaders, and youth representatives from Ahoada West Local Government Area, led by Chief Eniata Abieba, presented the community’s case.
In his submission, Chief Abieba underscored the deep-rooted ties between the Engenni and other Ijaw clans in Bayelsa, especially in Yenagoa, Epie, Atissa, and Zarama.
“Our people are not strangers to Bayelsa,” he said.
“Our dialect mirrors those spoken here, our ancestral histories intertwine, and our lands share contiguous boundaries with Bayelsa. Many Engenni communities are already integrated into Yenagoa’s growing urban landscape.”
Abieba argued that realignment with Bayelsa would preserve the Engenni’s Ijaw identity and enhance access to infrastructure, education, and economic opportunities, often concentrated in Yenagoa.
“Our children speak the same Ijaw dialects as their Bayelsa neighbors. Joining Bayelsa is not just a political request—it is a return to our cultural and historical home,” he added.
Their plea comes in response to emerging proposals for a new Orashi State, which would encompass Ahoada West, Ahoada East, Abua-Odual, and Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni in Rivers State, along with parts of Imo State. The Engenni community has opposed this idea, expressing concerns about cultural marginalization within a state likely to be dominated by the Igbo ethnic group.
“Being forced into Orashi State would erase our Ijaw identity,” Abieba warned.
“We risk political and cultural displacement under a different ethnic bloc.”
The journey to the hearing in Yenagoa was not without challenges. Initially, the delegation was directed to present their case at the Calabar Centre, designated for Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River States—a move that sparked outrage.
“We were bewildered,” said Elder Joseph Okoli, a member of the delegation.
“Our history and future lie with Bayelsa, not Calabar. We fought to be heard here in Yenagoa, where our case truly resonates.”
Following protests and subsequent negotiations, the committee granted the delegation an opportunity to present in Yenagoa—a decision hailed by the group as a victory for fairness.
Chairman of the House Committee on Constitutional Review, Professor Julius Ihonvbere, commended the Engenni people for their well-articulated and peaceful advocacy.
“Your submission is clear and compelling,” he stated.
“We are committed to fairness and inclusivity. Your demand will be thoroughly reviewed as we deliberate on the constitutional amendments.”
His assurance was received with cautious optimism by the delegation, who expressed hope that their plea would shape the outcome of the ongoing constitutional review.
Other Ijaw communities and traditional rulers present at the hearing voiced solidarity with the Engenni’s position. Chief Tamunoemi Sinclair, a Yenagoa-based Ijaw leader, described the demand as a “just cause.”
“The Engenni are our kin,” he said. “Their inclusion in Bayelsa is a step toward unity and development for all Ijaw people.”
The Engenni’s demand is part of broader national conversations on state creation, resource control, and the devolution of powers—issues that have long sparked debate in Nigeria’s federal structure, often criticized for failing to reflect the nation’s ethnic and cultural diversity.
The historical context of the Engenni case further strengthens their argument. Though primarily located in Ahoada West, the community has consistently identified as Ijaw. Colonial and post-independence boundary adjustments placed them in Rivers State—a decision many view as arbitrary and disconnected from their cultural reality.
Over time, this has fueled feelings of marginalization, as political dynamics in Rivers State have often prioritized other ethnic interests.
As the hearing concluded, Chief Abieba expressed both hope and determination.
“We are not asking for too much,” he said.
“We seek to correct a historical oversight and secure a future where our language, culture, and people thrive alongside our Ijaw brethren in Bayelsa.”
The delegation plans to continue engaging key stakeholders and mobilizing grassroots support to sustain momentum for their cause.
With the constitutional review process ongoing, the National Assembly is expected to compile and evaluate submissions from across the country. For the Engenni people, the Yenagoa hearing marks a significant step toward long-awaited recognition and inclusion.
“We are Ijaw, and Bayelsa is our home,” Abieba concluded. “This is our chance to make history right.”
