In the political sphere some great strides were made. The local government councils established in the area in 1953 on the basis of the Macpherson Constitution of 1951 were vigorous, progressive and sensible bodies. Much of the credit appeared to be due to the Divisional branch of Ibibio State Union, which, drawing inspirations from Dr. Udoma, its National President, was exceedingly active (Udo-Inyang, 1985: 16) in the local and Ibibio national affairs.
As the President of Ibibio State Union (1946-69), an elected member of the Eastern House of Assembly in 1951 and leader of the National Independence Party, Dr. Udo Udoma mobilised the minorities of Eastern Nigeria in Calabar, Ogoja, and Rivers (COR) state (Ibid.). Although no state was created for the minorities before the close of our period, the demand for state creation in Eastern Nigeria led to the establishment of the Minorities Commission in 1957 to examine the fears of the minorities in the region and allay them (Macintosh, 1966: 214-218).
The Government says it is taking up the white man's burden; it is introducing civilisation; it is giving the Pax Britannica to wildly disturbed savage districts. No one dare say this is a lie because these are great words. The merchant party is barefaced honest - saying we are in Africa to make Africa pay us - but in order that it should pay, it must be justly, firmly and well governed.
(Letter to John Holt, August 3,1899, in Ofonagoro, 1979: 14)