The people of Ibibio, Eleme (Mbolli), Ogoni and others lived together in this ancient habitat of the Semi-Bantu which is the Cross-River Region in Eastern Nigeria. There were also the Efiks, Ekoi, Annang, Ibino and others that co-existed in that brought the course of time, there were migratory movements that brought Eleme out of that ancient habitat. Gradually, new formations were coming into existence. The Ogonis also fanned out, reaching down to where they now occupy by a very gradual process. Even the Munshi of the present Middle Belt areas of Northern Nigeria also meandered out of the same habitat. These continuous waves of migration also saw the Abua, Andoni and Abuloma peoples (among others) emerging from this ancient habitat and settling in their present locations after very long.

The Journey into the present territory of Eleme was not a direct movement. In those distant times when might was right, only the exceedingly brave could lead a family or a group of people through the dangers posed by wild animals and cannibals. It also involved living in a location for a period and then moving out, if for any reason that location becomes insecure. Many died in this process and some others were born. At last, one group settled at a chosen location and enjoyed the protection of the warrior who led them and the conduciveness of the fertile rain forest which supported their life with minimum labour. That territory or settlement now bears the name of the warrior that was their leader and mentor.

The warrior called Eleme is believed to have led his people from among the Ekoi and meandered into the present Eleme territory in about 1460. He had two sons whose names were Nchia and Odido, and they settled with their followers in the vast area between Ogale and Ebubu, a little North of Mgbala lake in Ogale. Nchia, the first son, later moved away from his father and founded his own settlement which bears the name Agbonchia, meaning Nchia’s large settlement. Some monumental structures confirming the reality of the existence of Nicha are Mbie-Nchia, Ejian Nchia, Echieta Nchia and an ancient road passing through Njuru and Okerewa communities to Akpajo, which is known as Ogbere Nchia. The towns that have emerged from the initial settlement of Nchia are Ogale, Aleto, Alesa, Alode and Akpajo. Each of these major towns consists of several villages. Odido himself has the credit for the eventual development of the four major towns of Ebubu, Onne, Eteo and Ekporo. Each of these major town similarly consists of several villages at varying levels of development. Nchia maintains her ancestral prestige of being the capital of Eleme and within Nchia itself, Ogale provides the locaitonof the capital status. In furtherance of this, the Nchia General Hospital, Police Divisional Headquarters, Eleme Local Government Headquarters, the Judiciary consisting of the Customary Court, Magistrate Court, and High Court as well as NITEL, NIPOST, State Electoral Commission and Eleme Civic Centre are all located within Ogale.

Eleme territory now situates within the area that has Ikwerre, Asa, Ogoni and Okrika peoples along her borders. The directional movement is for other Nigerians Ibos, Hausas, Yorubas, Ibibios, Ijaws, Etche, Ndokis, Igala, Binis as well as foreigners from Britain, USA, Japan, Italy, Germany and other nationals who are ceaselessly converging on Eleme for the production and processing of crude oil and natural gas.