by Okoi Obono-Obla
Oboni Rumueme is an Ikwerre variant of Oboni, a distinctive cultural institution whose characteristics are similar to the Oboni traditions found across the diverse cultures of the Cross River Basin.
In Oboni Ikwerre, Rivers State, all the chants sound like typical Ekpe chants: “Oja! Oja!” Obon is a variant of Ekpe (Mgbe), which is popular among the peoples of Akwa Ibom, Cross River, and some parts of Abia State such as Arochukwu and Abiriba — communities that anthropologists and historians believe are ancestrally related to the Cross River region.
Obon and Ekpe: Cultural Pillars of Yakurr and Beyond
Obon and Ekpe in Mkpani, Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross River State, are two prominent traditions of the Cross River Basin whose influence extends into the South-West Province of Cameroon.
While they share deep cultural roots, each carries its own identity, rituals, and social functions. Obon is frequently regarded as the more encompassing institution, representing the highest level in the hierarchical order of the Ekpe society.
Historically, both have served as instruments of social organization, justice, and cultural preservation, embodying discipline, secrecy, and communal identity.
The Ikwerre Identity Debate
There has been intense controversy over whether the Ikwerre people are Igbo. The Ikwerre dialect and personal names sound Igbo, yet cultural institutions like Oboni point to stronger affinities with the Cross River Basin.
Two prominent Ikwerre politicians have recently rejected Igbo identity for Ikwerre:
Minister Nyesom Wike, in January 2025, declared: “I’m an Ikwerre man, not an Igbo man… I’m an unrepentant Ikwerre man, and I’m not a member of Ohanaeze.”
Former Governor Rotimi Amaechi, in June 2025 on Arise TV, stated: “I’m an Ikwerre man… There are divergent views, the majority will say no [Ikwerre is not Igbo].” He explained his earlier 2015 declaration — “I am a bona fide Igbo man” — was a political act of solidarity to protest the treatment of the South-East.
These declarations underscore that Ikwerre identity remains distinct and contested, with cultural evidence suggesting deeper historical links to the Cross River world than previously acknowledged.
Okoi Obono-Obla
