Fresh rift as Ibeno rejects map presented to NAF by Eket leaders

Tony Okoh, Uyo

Tension is mounting over a boundary-related dispute in Akwa Ibom State following allegations by the Ibeno Clan Council that officials of Eket Local Government Area presented a “fake” state map to the Nigerian Air Force, an act the council described as misleading, provocative, and disrespectful to Governor Umo Eno and the judiciary.

In a statement issued by its Secretary, Chief Udofia Okon Udofia at Upenekang on Sunday, the Council accused Eket Paramount Ruler (HRM) E. C. D. Abia, and the Local Government Chairman, Akaninyene Tommy, of presenting what it termed an “illegal and contrived map” to visiting officials of the Nigerian Air Force during discussions on the proposed establishment of an air base in Eket.

While acknowledging the significance of the Air Force project to the state’s development, the council expressed dismay that such an occasion was used to showcase a “fake” document.

It insisted that the map presented does not represent the legally recognised boundaries of Akwa Ibom State, but rather reflects controversial alterations introduced under the administration of former Governor Udom Gabriel Emmanuel.

The Council alleged that the disputed map forms part of a broader agenda to extend the boundaries of Eket, Esit Eket and Onna Local Government Areas to the Atlantic Ocean, thereby enabling access to derivation benefits tied to oil-producing communities under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

It further suggested that cultural and historical affiliations between the Ekid nationality and the former governor may have influenced the boundary adjustments.

Describing the development as “deliberate and not accidental,” the Ibeno Clan Council maintained that the use of the “fake” map contravenes the directive earlier issued by Governor Umo Eno, who had ordered the suspension of the controversial 2023 map pending the outcome of the ongoing litigation on the matter.

The statement noted that Ibeno, Mbo, and Eastern Obolo Local Government Areas are currently in court challenging the legality of the Akwa Ibom State Map Establishment Law 2023, arguing that it effectively altered constitutionally recognised boundaries without due process.

According to the Council, the law bypassed essential constitutional requirements, including public consultations, referenda, stakeholder engagement, and legislative transparency.

“It is a fundamental legal principle that what cannot be done directly under the Constitution cannot be achieved indirectly through state legislation,” the Council asserted, adding that boundary adjustments fall within the exclusive purview of the National Boundary Commission under the authority of the Presidency.

Chief Udofia expressed appreciation to Governor Umo Eno and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for facilitating the establishment of the Air Force base, describing it as a welcome development.

However, he cautioned against actions capable of igniting tension among affected communities, and urged that the Akwa Ibom people recognise the original map of Akwa Ibom State, which constitutes the 31 gazetted LGAs, under the law used during and after the Supreme Court oil wells judgement in the former Governor Victor Attah.

The Council called on the state government to rein in the Eket Local Government leadership and urged security agencies, particularly the Nigerian Air Force, to disregard the “fake” map in their official dealings.

Reaffirming its stance, the Ibeno Clan Council emphasized that the existing state map, in use since 1987, remains the only legitimate reference until the courts determine otherwise, warning that any attempt to enforce the contested version could undermine peace and stability in the state.