By Solomon OKPO
The Eket People’s Union (EPU) has raised strong concerns over what it describes as mounting challenges to Ekid’s land rights, development equity, and historical dignity, blaming successive Akwa Ibom State governments for policies and actions that undermine the interests of the Ekid people.
Speaking in an interview with The Evangelist crew, the Assistant Secretary-General of Ekid People’s Union, Sir Jack Daniel Etteh, Mkpisong Ekid title holder, addressed issues ranging from territorial integrity disputes and land acquisitions to perceived marginalisation and inter-communal tensions, insisting that Ekid’s problems are not accidental but systemic.
Sir Jack Etteh acknowledged the contrast between Ekid’s proud history of resistance, progressive with dignity and the present socio-political realities confronting the people.
He attributed the shift partly to societal changes brought about by civilisation and Christianity, which, according to him, have altered traditional values and approaches to communal protection. Rather than apportion blame, he said the focus should be on stimulating collective motivation and safeguarding the future of Ekid.
On concerns that Ekid’s territorial integrity is being eroded, Etteh clarified that while the land is not lost, it is increasingly being challenged and put at risk. He accused state government operators of illegally apportioning Ekid land for sale to private companies without the consent of the rightful owners. More troubling, he said, is the practice of designating communities with no ancestral claim to the land as “host communities” in memoranda of understanding.
He cited the BUA refinery agreement as a prime example, alleging that the state government manipulated the process to make the company sign an MoU with Ibeno, contrary to Ekid interests. Specifically, he alledged that the then Secretary to State Government under Udom administration was a fifth columnist, he manipulated the process and misled the company to sign MoU with Ibeno of which Ibeno doesn’t own an inch of the area. According to him, EPU being the official mandated mouth piece of the Ekid people with power of attorney have already challenged the transaction in court.
He also referenced alleged ongoing illegal solid mineral mining by a Chinese company in collaboration with the state government and Ibeno, as well as similar concerns involving Tulcan Energy. Etteh maintained that there is no law empowering state government to forcibly allot community land and sell to private companies without due consent of the owners. He went further to say that Akwa Ibom State enjoys the recognition as the most peaceful oil producing state simply because the Ekid people are peaceful and tolerate a lot of ill-treatment.
Responding to claims about the misclassification of Uquo villages, Etteh dismissed the assertion that Uquo is administered by Ibeno, stressing that Uquo remains the headquarters of Esit Eket Local Government Area.
On the contentious ownership of Stubb’s Creek Forest, Etteh stated unequivocally that the forest belongs to the Ekid people of Eket and Esit Eket LGAs and has never been lawfully acquired by the state. He accused successive governors of deliberately creating ambiguity over its ownership just to pave ways to accommodate their inordinate personal desires, describing the forest as a “new-found cash cow” for governors. In his words, “It is therefore a fact that our governors are the problem.”
Imagine the recent unwarranted outburst of Gov. Umo Eno abusing Ekid people with some unmerited words for no wrong of Ekid people. Rather than commend the maturity and rare peaceful disposition of the Ekid people, he that personally confessed to have benefited from the Ekid hospitality which enabled his business to blossom as well as realisation of governorship mandate suddenly turned around to abuse the present and past generations of Ekid people simply because we are opposed to his obnoxious exploitations. I made bold to say that the governor is insensitive and insincere.
He lied on Ekid people with cooked up stories. The same Ekid people who have appealed to him severally to construct roads through the Stubb’s Creek forest to ease development he now claimed are opposed to federal coastal highway, very funny.
Regarding the Akwa Ibom State Map Establishment Law of 2023, Etteh noted that enforcement rests squarely with the state government, adding that the law remains valid and subsisting despite alleged violations. Imagine the implication of the degree of arrogance of a governor to declare that he has suspended implementation of a state law and wants to set up a committee to review the Privi Council judgement.
On Oro–Ekid and Ibeno–Ekid tensions, he insisted that any friction is not organic but instigated by what he described as the governor’s lapses and greed.
While EPU supports peaceful engagement, he implied that dialogue must not come at the expense of Ekid’s land and coastline rights.
“It should also be noted that publication of Caveat Emptor became imperative to caution the incessant abuse of government policies and procedures by acts of gross irresponsibility by state actors, it is a civilised approach to issues instead of violence.”
Addressing development and federal presence, Etteh argued that Ekid is not receiving its fair share of infrastructure and investments, despite its enormous contribution to the national economy. He described the situation as deliberate marginalisation driven by what he termed a “conspiracy theory” within the state, lamenting that Ekid’s contributions have been rewarded with deprivation rather than development.
Recall that former military President IBB did visit Eket and announced approval for establishment of a federal University and expansion cum transformation of Airstrip to Airport in 1988 but where are those facilities, President Musa Yar’Adua of blessed memory announced approval for establishment of a federal refinery in Eket 2009 and where is the refinery, the Vice President was to undertake a groundbreaking ceremony for Amakpe refinery in Eket and the state government intervened at the eleventh hour and stopped the ceremony, a functioning Qua River hotel was shot down on account that government can’t run a hotel but same government dualized a and built a 5star hotel somewhere.
He concluded by saying the Ekid people should be allowed to breathe while reiterating EPU’s commitment to lawful resistance, advocacy, and the protection of Ekid’s heritage, land, and future.
