Corrosive Marginalization: The Ugly Plight of Nkari

The people of Nkari Clan in Ini Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Southern Nigeria, are crying out for an end to marginalization.

They have been deprived of basic amenities like electricity, tarred roads, portable water, and healthcare facilities for over 50 years.

They are also politically marginalized, oppressed, suppressed, and denied the opportunity to taste the chairmanship seat in Ini Local Government Area or represent Ini in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly.

Since 1999, every clan in Ini has enjoyed the benefits of political power, except Nkari. “The marginalization of our people in the political scheme of things in the state is unacceptable,” said Mr. Alphonsus Okon, National Secretary of the Nkari Stakeholders Forum. “We have been denied our rightful place in the political landscape of Ini, and it’s time for the government to recognize our rights.”

The Nkari Stakeholders Forum has therefore presented Elder Etim Sam Etim as their candidate for the chairmanship position, emphasizing that it is their turn to occupy the seat. “Nkari people are not slaves in their land. We want to be included and also given the right of place in the political ratings in Ini,” Etim said. “We have capable leaders who can bring development to our clan and Ini at large.”

“Ini Local Government Area is a conglomeration of different clans and the ‘N’ in Ini stands for Nkari. Nkari is the heartbeat of Ini and Nkari is a green land,” Okon cried out. “But despite our contributions to the growth and development of Ini, we have been neglected and abandoned.”

The Forum warns that they will reject any imposition of candidates outside Nkari Clan, emphasizing that they have the capacity to produce credible leaders. “We have done it before, supporting the ANPP to win the chairmanship seat in Ini. We have the capacity to do it again,” Okon warned. “We will not be silenced or marginalized anymore. We demand inclusion, equity, and justice.”

The Akwa Ibom Government must listen to the cry of the Nkari people and give them their rightful place in the political landscape of Ini.

The government must recognize the rights of the Nkari people and include them in the scheme of things. The people of Nkari Clan are not asking for favours; they are demanding their rights.

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