By Solomon OKPO
The Ekid People’s Union (EPU) has issued a firm call for justice, equity and renewed unity, warning that continued neglect of Ekid interests could further erode the once-glorious heritage of the oil-rich enclave.
National President of the Union, Dr. Samuel Udonsak, made the call on Thursday while delivering his address at the 2025 Annual Congress of EPU held at Eket City Hall, with the theme “Celebrating Our Heritage: Shaping Our Future.”
Udonsak traced Ekid’s history of resilience, recalling how its forebears resisted colonial aggression, secured decisive legal victories up to the Privy Council in 1918, and flourished as a united people within the Ibibio family. He lamented, however, that contemporary Ekid no longer reflects that proud legacy.
A major concern raised was the continued misclassification of Ekid villages following the revocation of the Traditional Rulers Law in 2008. Udonsak described it as unacceptable that, 17 years after the revocation, Ekid villages in Esit Eket Local Government Area are still being administered as part of Ibeno Local Government Area, contrary to law.
He also accused successive governments of illegally treating the Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve as an acquired asset, contrary to the 1930 Ordinance and subsisting court judgments that affirm Ekid ownership of the land stretching from the Qua Iboe River to Okposo. According to him, companies including BUA and Tulcan are occupying parts of the reserve unlawfully, with fears that other corporate and government interests may soon follow.
On boundary and territorial issues, the EPU President cited the Akwa Ibom State Map Establishment Law of 2023, noting that the officially certified state map clearly defines local government boundaries. He condemned what he described as persistent encroachment by Ibeno Local Government Area and the alleged misnaming of QIT Terminal, Eket, as QIT Terminal Ibeno, despite the subsisting law.
Udonsak further warned that renewed boundary and identity disputes involving Oro communities risk destabilising long-standing relationships within the southern Ibibio axis. He called for peaceful engagement to restore harmony and prevent conflicts that could undermine the unity of Akwa Ibom State.
Despite Ekid’s vast contribution to Nigeria’s oil wealth, Udonsak decried what he termed deliberate marginalisation at the federal level, citing the absence of major federal institutions, limited educational infrastructure and poor representation of Ekid professionals in federal appointments. He stressed that development and inclusion are obligations, not favours, to communities that sustain the national economy.
While commending ongoing developmental efforts by the Akwa Ibom State Government, he urged that Ekid communities receive proportionate attention in line with their economic contribution. He also called for political will to implement existing court judgments relating to Ekid lands, warning that justice delayed threatens peace and development.
The EPU President expressed cautious optimism over national security reforms and reaffirmed Ekid’s support for the administrations of Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Umo Eno, stressing that patriotism does not require silence in the face of injustice.
On economic development, the Congress urged accelerated action on strategic projects including the Ibom Deep Seaport, Qua River Hotel and China Market, describing them as critical to regional transformation and job creation.
Udonsak also challenged Ekid indigenes in the diaspora to become more engaged, particularly in providing legal platforms to challenge alleged corporate infractions abroad. He announced the unveiling of a draft Ekid Unity Charter, designed to cement unity between Eket and Esit Eket Local Government Areas and guarantee equal political rights across Ekid land.
As his six-year tenure ended, Udonsak listed key achievements of his administration to include the defence of the Akwa Ibom State Map Law, reconciliation within the Ibibio family, the defeat of the proposed Oro-Obolo State agitation, and the formulation of the Ekid Unity Charter.
He concluded by urging Congress to prioritise unity, discipline and collective resolve, insisting that only a united Ekid can safeguard its heritage and secure a just and prosperous future.
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