Eket/Esit Eket/Ibeno Crisis: Udom’s controversial new map sets Akwa Ibom on fire
By Moses Tom
The controversial remapping of Akwa Ibom State orchestrated by former Governor Udom Emmanuel has continued to raise its ugly head and attract violent reactions from the people and residents of the state.
The latest is the communal clash involving the people of Eket/Esit Eket Local Government Areas and their Ibeno counterpart over the ownership of Stubbs Creek Forest Reserves.
The recent conflict, which started on Monday, 26th February, 2024, has resulted in destruction of lives and properties worth millions of naira.
As at Tuesday, 27th February, 2024, no fewer than three persons were reported dead and scores of house razed in the wake of the crisis.
Admittedly, the remote cause of the crisis is age-long claim of heritage, which according to Governor Umo Eno-led administration, dated back to colonial era.
But facts have emerged that the controversies surrounding the new map sparked the current impasse between the warring communities.
Findings have shown that although both Eket and Esit Eket Local Government Areas have laid claim to the disputed area, Stubbs Creek Forest Reserves has been under the control and administration of Ibeno since the creation of the local government area.
With the controversial Akwa Ibom State Map Law-2023 ceding the disputed area between Eket and Esit Eket, locals, especially irate youths now have ‘authority’ to generate tension and unleash mayhem, insisting on the “rightful ownership of the Stubbs Creek Forest as well as adjacent territories”.
In a statement entitled “Eket Nation/Ibeno Crisis: Let Peace Reign,” the state government recognized the ignoble role played by the controversial remapping of Akwa Ibom.
“While the state government reconises that this conflict is rooted in heritage claim, which date back to the pre-independence times, it is constrained by the subsisting court actions on the same subject matter.
“It the position of the state government that until all these cases are resolved, nothing will be done in support or against the map,” a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Comrade Ini Ememobong, observed
Tuesday, February 27, 2024, the Commissioner of Police, CP Waheed Ayilara, visited Eket, Ibeno and Esit Eket for an on the spot assessment of the security situation in the disputed areas.
A statement by the PPRO, SP Odiko Macdon, maintained that “the Commissioner of Police, personally, in company of the Commissioner for Internal Security, General Koko Essien Rtd, and the Chairmen of the three Local Government Areas , cleared obstructions in the highway of the LGAs plagued by the crises.
“The CP has deployed Personnel of MOPOL and Tactical Teams of the Command, who are being complimented by the Nigerian Army to the affected areas and they will be there till a stand down order is given.
“For now, normalcy has been restored to the affected areas and there is free flow of human and vehicular movements.
“The CP is still calling on critical stakeholders to come together and dialogue in order to resolve the lingering impasse for the benefit of the State.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Command is committed to the safety, peace and order of every part of Akwa Ibom State and will spare no resources in the actualisation of this goal. Criminal elements and conspirators should not test the resolve of the Command under the watch of CP Waheed Ayilara.
“The CP has thanked the Government and Stakeholders who are working round the clock to resolve the issue,” SP Macdon noted.
Unfortunately, neither the position of the Police nor that the state government has gone well with some individuals in Eket and Esit Eket.
HOST COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT WATCH
Speaking under the aegis of Host Community Development Watch, Eket and Esit Eket youths described government’s position as a call self defence.
A detailed statement signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Edet Edet and the National Secretary, Comrade Ifiok Itiaba, read:
“The pposition of the Akwa Ibom State Government on the ongoing tension in the Aboriginal Coastal Communities of Akwa Ibom State comprising of Eket, Esit Eket, ONNA, Mkpat Enin and Ikot Abasi Local Government Areas as contained in a release issued by the Akwa Ibom State Government and signed by the Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Comrade Ini Ememobong has been received by Akwa Ibom people at home and abroad.
“It appears to be an invitation that Indigenes of the Aboriginal Coastal Communities should explore means of defending themselves.
“As a group we have also read, studied and deliberated on same. We have concluded on one thing, the Akwa Ibom State Government does not have the will power to implement her decisions and therefore we must rise to defend ourselves.
“A look into the AKSG position notes that the Government wrongly describes the ongoing tensions between the Ibibio community of Eket Extraction and the self-proclaimed Ijaw populace of Ibeno Extraction as a mere fight for heritage claims which dates back to pre colonial era.
“As direct victims of the insensitivity to us thereby making us Frontline victims of this several confrontations and unprovoked attacks from the Ijaw people of Ibeno, we are constrained and wish to inform that the Eket Ibibio people are only seeking to reclaim their properties.
“The Ibeno Ijaw people have no heritage for them to seek to claim such or seek ownership. Therefore the position of Government on a fight for Heritage fails logically and collapses as it is no way near reality.
“Our worry here is that the position of the Akwa Ibom State Government as conveyed by Government spokesperson is not only ridiculous, but evasive as the State Government has failed to address the root of the problem.
“By the position of the State Government, it has intentionally distances itself from the enforcement of the Akwa Ibom State Map Establishment Law 2023, a legislative mandate ratified by the State House of Assembly and endorsed under the leadership of the former Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel.
“This law, that honours and ratifies all known historical facts and truths aligns with historical judicial rulings dating back to 1916 which unequivocally recognizes the Ekid people’s absolute sovereignty over the Stubbs Creek Forest Reserves and more.
“The government’s attribution of legal hurdles as justification for its inaction is nauseating, unpardonable and a clear case of dishonesty to the Aboriginal Coastal Ibibio people especially in the face of this escalating tensions.
“Questions linger as to whether the Press Release, titled “Eket Nation/Ibeno Crisis: Let Peace Reign,” was genuinely crafted to address the plight of Aboriginal Coastal Local Governments, or if its underlying intent is to either undermine the grievances of the peace-loving people of Ekid descent or, worse yet, inadvertently instigate unrest, thus.
“It is incumbent upon a democratically elected government, committed to upholding the rule of law, to navigate contentious issues with judicious discernment. The sanctity of legal statutes and judicial precedents must not be compromised in the face of burgeoning conflict.
“By undermining legislative enactments and judicial rulings, the government risks eroding public trust and exacerbating tensions. The faith of the Aboriginal Coastal Communities in Akwa Ibom State on the stance of the present administration hangs on the brink of precipice .
“The government’s failure to acknowledge the underlying dynamics of the conflict, wherein the Ibeno community perceives it as an Ibibio/Ijaw conundrum, underscores the need for understanding and diplomatic engagement.
“Dismissing legitimate grievances and historical claims only serves to deepen existing fault lines and perpetuate discord.
“In light of recent violent escalations, it is imperative for the Akwa Ibom State government to demonstrate proactive leadership.
“The expeditious implementation of the Akwa Ibom State Map Law-2023 and adherence to extant judicial pronouncements affirming Ekid’s rightful ownership of the Stubbs Creek Forest as well as adjacent territories and ceding what belongs to Coastal Ibibio Communities to the rightful owners. This and many more are imperative for peace to be sustained.
“That the State Government is telling the People to go and explore means of living in Peace with themselves is a good advice offered as a mockery and in bad taste.
“Perhaps the only way the people can live in Peace is to forcefully claim their lands since the Umo Eno led Administration says it is waiting for a Judicial pronouncement to act right.
“We urge the Akwa Ibom State Government to allow Peace a Chance in these communities by acting in the best and honest ever means as anything short of that may not guarantee Peace in these Communities.
“The Government should know that NO SINGLE INDIVIDUAL IS AND SHOULD BE SEEN OR PERCEIVED AS BEING MORE POWERFUL THAN THE GOVERNMENT.”
