Obio Ikwerre Igbo nationality

Obio is one of the seven groups of Ikwerre Igbo nationality. The community is part of the Obio/Akpo Local Government Area and the entire Port Harcourt Local Government Area in Rivers State.

The origin of Obio’s settlement in the area remains unproven. It is speculated that Obio lived on the banks of the Waja River near the Nwakpu shrine, which was a common deity for the clan. Some elders believe that Obio resided where the Ahia Makara currently stands. According to legend, Obio was a hunter who roamed the area for hunting purposes. He was married to Okutarangi and had two sons, Evo and Apara. It is said that Evo, the first son, was a farmer, while Apara, the second son, was a hunter. After their mother’s death, Evo sent word to his brother to return home for her burial, but Apara did not come back. Evo took charge of all the family’s inheritance, including slaves purchased by their father for Apara. The slaves eventually left Evo and went back to Apara. This dispute over their father’s inheritance led to a separation between the two brothers and caused enmity among their descendants. Evo settled in Nwoji (Woji), while Apara settled in the area between umu-Ola(Rumuola )and umu-Igbo(Rumuigbo), where umu-Apara(Rumuapara) now have a meeting place. From these ancestors, their sons formed families, extended families, and compounds within the Obio group. Despite their differences, they recognized a common ancestor.

Prior to British rule, there was continuous rivalry between umu-Evo and umu-Apara. The presence of Arochukwu people in the area is said to have emerged from the conflict between these brotherly communities. In an effort to quell the rivalry, the Nye-Nwe Eli of Nwoji(Wojji) traveled to Arochukwu to invite Aros to help settle the dispute with umu-Apara. Umu-Apara also went to Arochukwu to seek assistance in resolving the conflict with umu-Evo. These actions resulted in many Aros settling in the community. The Aros played a significant role in the existence of the Obio people by helping settle disputes and holding important positions in the administration of both brotherly clans.

Until 1929, the Obio area was under Degema Division. The British troops first visited Nwoji, marking the beginning of British rule in the area. A native minor court was established in umuokwurusi in 1902, with judges selected by either compounds or the District Officer. The umuokwurusi court had jurisdiction over the entire Obio group of Ikwerre land. The territory is bordered by Native Court areas to the west, north-west, north, east, and south. In 1923, the umuokwurusi court was upgraded to “C Grade,” but in 1929, there were plans to demolish it. The District Officer and a group of troops prevented the demolition. The court was deemed unsuccessful and unpopular, with cases of corruption and imprisonment of its members. It was suspended in 1930. Another court, a “D Grade,” was established in Woji within the same Obio group in 1930. The umuokwurusi Native Court had a court clerk and six court messengers as permanent staff, none of whom were native to the Obio group. The court clerk handled all warrants, summonses, and recorded proceedings in English.