The Tombia Kingdom in Rivers State has raised serious concerns over claims by the newly-installed Amanyanabo of Elem-Kalabari, Alhaji Mujahid Asari-Dokubo, that parts of Tombia are under the Kalabari Ethnic Nationality. In a dramatic display of unity, leaders of the Tombia community gathered in Port Harcourt to strongly reject the notion of being incorporated into the Kalabari kingdom, asserting their unique identity.
Chief Peniel Omubo-Idonibo, Vice Chairman of the Tombia Council of Chiefs, led the press conference, outlining the historical and cultural distinctions that separate Tombia from Kalabari. He stressed that while Tombia shares a cordial relationship with the Kalabari people, the two communities have always maintained their independence, a position that must be respected.
“The people of Tombia have lived side-by-side with the Kalabari for decades, but we have never been subjugated by them,” Omubo-Idonibo stated. “Tombia was originally a part of the Ekpetiama Kingdom in present-day Bayelsa State, and we migrated to our current location, where we have built our own kingdom and culture.”
At the heart of the dispute is Asari-Dokubo’s claim that several Tombia communities, particularly those situated along the Cawthorne Channel Area, belong to the Kalabari people. According to Tombia leaders, the Kalabari king’s statements were not only historically inaccurate but potentially motivated by the rich mineral resources in the area, which Tombia considers part of its heritage.
Omubo-Idonibo emphasized that communities such as Igboboko, Elegbe-Ama, and Mbikiri-Ama—communities he referred to as “genuine Tombia settlements”—are not under Kalabari rule, nor have they ever been. He pointed to several court judgments, including the 2018 ruling (PHC/1842/2001) by Justice E.N. Ogbuji of the Rivers State High Court, which affirmed Tombia’s ownership of areas around the Cawthorne Channel.
The controversy surrounding this territorial claim has placed both communities at odds, despite a shared history of peaceful coexistence. Omubo-Idonibo urged calm, appealing to both the Tombia and Kalabari peoples to resolve the issue amicably. “Our primary goal is to preserve the peace and unity that has long existed between us,” he said. “We want to live in harmony, but we cannot allow the falsification of our identity.”
The Tombia leaders’ concerns were not only cultural but also political, as they sought the intervention of Governor Siminalayi Fubara to safeguard the community’s sovereignty. They called on the governor to hold Asari-Dokubo accountable, warning that continued assertions of Kalabari dominance could disrupt the long-standing peace and unity between the two kingdoms.
“Governor Fubara, as the leader of our state, must intervene to protect the integrity of the Tombia Kingdom,” Omubo-Idonibo stated. “We have no issue with the Kalabari people, but we demand that our rights and identity be respected, just as other kingdoms in the state have been recognized.”
The issue also draws attention to the political dynamics of Rivers State, where local chiefs and traditional leaders hold significant sway in community affairs. Omubo-Idonibo’s call for Governor Fubara’s involvement underscores the importance of state recognition in resolving local conflicts, particularly those involving traditional rulers who often serve as powerful figures within their regions.
The conflict, though rooted in a territorial dispute, also taps into deeper questions of identity, sovereignty, and political power. Tombia’s leaders argue that their distinct cultural heritage and history are critical components of their identity, and they view any efforts to merge their kingdom with Kalabari as an infringement upon their autonomy.
In response to the escalating tensions, the Tombia leaders have vowed to continue their peaceful resistance. “We will not be bullied or intimidated by these false claims,” Omubo-Idonibo insisted. “Tombia is Tombia, and we will remain so. We call on all Tombians to stand firm in the face of these unwarranted claims.”
As the matter unfolds, it remains to be seen whether the intervention of the Rivers State government can ease the growing animosity between the Tombia and Kalabari communities. For now, the Tombia people stand united in their insistence on a distinct identity and their demand for recognition.
Local observers have weighed in on the broader implications of the dispute, noting that it reflects a wider trend of territorial and ethnic claims in the Niger Delta region, where communities often face competing pressures from neighboring groups seeking to assert dominance. Whether this conflict will be resolved through negotiation or further legal action remains uncertain, but the Tombia community’s call for justice is clear.
In the coming weeks, as political leaders and community representatives engage in dialogue, the resolution of this dispute may become a defining moment for the relationship between the Tombia and Kalabari kingdoms.
