Coastal local government areas in Akwa Ibom State have rejected the proposal by some oil-producing communities for the creation of Oro-Obolo State out of the present Akwa Ibom, describing the move as an attempt to dispossess the state and its people of their land and natural resources.
The affected councils, Eket, Esit Eket, Ikot Abasi, Mkpat Enin, and Onna, under the aegis of the Coalition of Aboriginal Coastal Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom State, made their position known in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja.
The coalition alleged that the agitation for Oro-Obolo State was “a veiled land-grabbing exercise” aimed at undermining Akwa Ibom’s territorial integrity and control of its coastal resources.
The statement was jointly signed by Dr. Samuel Udonsak and Mkpisong Nsudoh Nsudoh (Eket); Sir Bassey Dan-Abia and Elder Imoh Edoho (Esit Eket); Obong Chelly Okoko, Dr. Micah Umoh, and Barr. Uwem Ekanem (Ikot Abasi); Obong Martyn Udoinyang and Dr. Imowo Udobia (Mkpat Enin); and Elder IniAbasi Ekanem and Obong Ntiense Mbosoh (Onna).
“In the aftermath of the failed agitation for the creation of Oro-Obolo State, and the recent emphatic declaration by the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, that no state would be created out of Akwa Ibom under his watch, we, the Aboriginal Coastland communities, wish to state that we are happy and satisfied with that position,” the statement read.
“We are grateful to the leadership of Ifim Ibom Ibibio for galvanising Ibibios at home and in the diaspora to reject the creation of any state on Ibibio soil. Your courage and resolve to protect Ibibio territories are legendary and unparalleled.
“We also thank our brothers of Annang extraction who share our belief that the agitation for Oro-Obolo State goes beyond fair self-determination.
“It is a vicious attempt to grab land within Ibibio territories and rob the entire Akwa Ibom State of its rich shoreline and associated resources.”
The coalition reaffirmed its support for Governor Umo Eno’s stance and restated that no part of Ibibio land would be ceded for any new state.
“For the avoidance of doubt, we restate our avowed position that Oro-Obolo State, or any other state, cannot be created on Ibibio soil. Agitation for state creation must not infringe on the territorial rights of our people,” it added.
The group accused the agitators of challenging the authentic map of Akwa Ibom State in court, alleging that their aim was to distort boundaries in favour of Eastern Obolo and Ibeno.
“Today, the agitators of Oro-Obolo State are in court rejecting the official and authentic map of Akwa Ibom in preference for their contrived version that compromises the status of Tom Shot Island and other territories in the Cross River estuary. To that, we re-echo the mantra: One State, One Map!”
They commended the state government under former governor and current Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, for upholding justice and equity in governance, particularly through the 2008 Traditional Rulers (List of Recognised Villages and Clans) (Revocation) Order.
According to the coalition, the 1990 Traditional Rulers Council Edict list, which was annulled by that order, “had deliberately listed villages of Eket, Esit Eket, and Onna as belonging to Ibeno, and those of Mkpat Enin and Ikot Abasi as belonging to Eastern Obolo.”
The group also endorsed the Akwa Ibom State Map Establishment Law, 2023, saying it reflects the correct historical and legal boundaries of all local government areas in the state and “puts to rest the agitation for a non-contiguous Oro-Obolo State on Ibibio land.”
“Finally, it is our firm belief that a peaceful, united, and prosperous Akwa Ibom can only be sustained by upholding historical facts and truth against the threat of audacious lies, falsehood, and mutilated history pursued in the name of parochial interest,” the statement concluded.
