By Ogenyi Ogenyi,Uyo
The Ibeno Clan Council has raised concerns over what it described as the Ekid People’s Union’s (EPU) purported declaration of a “Doctrine of Necessity,” warning that the move could threaten peace and stability in Akwa Ibom State.
The Council called on the state government and security agencies to closely monitor the activities of EPU and its leadership, alleging that recent statements by the union were capable of inflaming tensions over the long-standing territorial dispute surrounding the Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve.
Speaking yesterday in Upenekang, the Secretary of the Ibeno Clan Council, Chief Okon Udofia, criticized comments credited to the President of Ekid People’s Union, Dr. Samuel Udonsak, regarding the ownership and territorial status of the forest reserve.
According to Okon, the statements were “provocative, misleading and capable of undermining ongoing peace efforts” being championed by Governor Umo Eno to foster unity and harmonious coexistence among communities in the state. He accused the EPU of attempting to create unnecessary tension among the people of Ibeno, Eket and Esit Eket through what he termed “false narratives” concerning the disputed territory.
The council maintained that historical records, government surveys, court judgments, colonial documents and official maps dating back to the creation of Akwa Ibom State in 1987 clearly indicate that Ibeno owns more than 70 per cent of the Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve, while Esit Eket and Mbo Local Government Areas share the remainder.” The claims by Dr. Udonsak and the EPU remain wishful thinking that can never become reality. No amount of propaganda or emotional blackmail can alter established facts that have existed for decades,” Chief Okon stated.
The council further argued that Akwa Ibom State has only one legally recognized map, which has remained in use since the state’s creation, adding that no governor, political group or government agency other than the NBC possesses the constitutional authority to alter state boundaries.Okon cited a recent judgment of the Federal High Court delivered by Justice Hyeldzira Nganjiwa, which he said reaffirmed that only the National Boundary Commission has the constitutional mandate to define and delineate territorial and coastal boundaries.
He described attempts to challenge existing boundaries by the EPU as legally untenable and misleading.Reaffirming the constitutional status of Ibeno Local Government Area, the council noted that the area comprises twenty-five gazetted villages, including Ndito Eka Iba and Okposo, which he said have long been recognized within Ibeno’s territorial framework.
The council expressed particular concern over EPU’s reference to a “Doctrine of Necessity,” describing it as a subtle call for confrontation, arms struggle and a challenge to constituted authority. “We view the purported Doctrine of Necessity declaration by EPU as a direct challenge to the authority of the Akwa Ibom State Government and a potential threat to public peace and security,” Chief Okon said.The council further alleged that the EPU had abandoned its appeal case in Calabar and rejected several peace initiatives facilitated by Governor Umo Eno at resolving the dispute through dialogue.
It also accused the union of pursuing campaigns that have negatively affected investor confidence and development efforts in Eket, urging the organization to focus on attracting development projects rather than laying claims to communities recognized as belonging to Ibeno.
According to him, ”Eket’s so-called ‘Doctrine of Necessity’ is nothing more than a failed survival strategy aimed at winning favourable public opinion and rallying support from the Ibibio people in its dispute with Ibeno over the Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve.”It raises a pertinent question: when did Eket, which for years derisively referred to the Ibibio as ‘Nsit Ibi Ekpugh,’ suddenly become a champion of Ibibio identity and solidarity?”
Today, Eket claims to be Ibibio because of the Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve dispute. Has Ibibio suddenly ceased to be ‘Nsit Ibi Ekpugh’? Opportunistic claims of Ibibio identity cannot confer ownership rights over the Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve.
“Having been frustrated in earlier attempts to sway public sentiment through the involvement of traditional rulers, faith leaders, and the deployment of unregistered NGOs to distort historical records in their favour, Ekid resorted to using Princess Godknows Udoito, who is currently detained in lawful custody in a Correctional Center, as a medium to unleash insult to the Governor and invoke deities against him”. He said, these actions only expose the desperation behind their campaign and do nothing to advance a credible or lawful claim.
Chief Okon stressed that respect for legally established boundaries and commitment to peaceful coexistence remained the only viable path to sustainable peace and development in the region.The Ibeno Clan Council also joined Nigerians in commemorating 27 years of uninterrupted democratic governance, congratulating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Governor Umo Eno on their third years anniversary in office.
The council commended the three leaders for their contributions to peace, economic growth and infrastructural development, while reaffirming Ibeno’s commitment to supporting legitimate investments and development initiatives within the area. “We shall continue to collaborate with government and private investors in the collective effort to develop Ibeno for the benefit of present and future generations.” Okon added.
