The Akwa Ibom community has rejected the move by some oil-producing areas to create Oro-Obolo State out of the present Akwa Ibom State.
The rejection came from coastal local government areas, including Eket, Esit Eket, Ikot Abasi, Mkpat Enin, and Onna.
In a press statement yesterday, the local governments, under the aegis of the Coalition of Aboriginal Coastal Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom State, said the proposal amounted to land grabbing and a deliberate attempt to deny Akwa Ibom of its natural resources.
The statement was jointly signed by representatives from the affected local government areas, including Dr Samuel Udonsak and Mkpisong Nsudoh Nsudoh for Eket, Sir Bassey Dan-Abia, and Elder Imoh Edoho for Esit Eket.
According to the coalition, the agitation for Oro-Obolo State had already failed, especially following the precise position of the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, who declared that no new state would be created under his watch.
“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 State under his watch, we, the Aboriginal Coastland communities, are happy and satisfied with that position,” the statement read in part.
The group also appreciated Ifim Ibom Ibibio’s leadership for mobilising Ibibios at home and abroad to reject the agitation.
They also acknowledged the support of their Annang counterparts, who shared their view that the agitation was not about fair self-determination but a calculated plan to grab land and control resources.
“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. Thank you, Ifim; your courage and resolve to protect the territories of Ibibio are legendary and unparalleled.”
Reiterating their support for the governor’s stand, the coalition insisted that any state creation effort must respect the territorial integrity of the Ibibio land.
“To avoid doubt, we hereby restate our avowed position that Oro-Obolo State, or any other state, cannot be created on Ibibio soil. Aboriginal coastland communities believe that agitation for state creation by any group must not infringe on the territorial rights of our people.”
The group further accused the agitators of challenging the official and authentic map of Akwa Ibom State in court while preferring a version that compromises the status of Tom Shot Island and other territories in the Cross River estuary.
The coalition commended the administration of Senator Godswill Akpabio, former governor and current President of the Senate, for upholding justice through the Traditional Rulers (List of Recognised Villages and Clans) (Revocation) Order, 2008.
