Youths of Oro ethnic nationality in Akwa Ibom State, comprising Obolo Youth Coalition, OYC worldwide, and Oro Youth Movement, OYOM, have demanded removal of the controversial Map from the 2024 official Calendar of the state for peace to reign.
This was contained in an open letter addressed to governor Umo Eno and signed by the Comrade Emmanuel Essang, Comrade Romokere Mark, Sunday Afiko Esq, President General, Secretary General, and National Legal Adviser of OYC respectively, Comrade Edet Eyo, National President, Oro Youth Movement(OYOM), among others.
In the letter which was made available to newsmen on Sunday the youth group expressed dismay and shock over the state government’s action given pending case before the Federal High Court Uyo, challenging the validity of the said Map.
It could be recalled that the Obolo and Oro people in the state had opposed the map which ceded some villages and ancestral coastal region and lands to the Ibibio land namely Eket, Esit Eket, Onna, Mkpat Enin and Ikot Abasi LGAs.
The controversial map was initiated towards the end of the administration of the immediate past state governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel.
It reads in part “We write to register our total displeasure on the recent events in the state, the Traditional Rulers Amended law which classified us as a peripheral and unimportant member of Akwa Ibom State despite the fact that 90 % of the resources that enhanced the economic growth of the state come from our region.
“To add salt to the injury is the recent publication of the 2024 official Calendar of the state with the offensive, discriminatory and manipulated Map which was initiated by the Udom Emmanuel administration.
“After careful deliberation on the subject matter we make bold to state that this disdainful act by the state government which is supposed to lead by example is a direct invitation to anarchy.
“We condemn this surreptitious attempt in strongest terms and therefore demand the immediate withdrawal of the Said Calendar from further circulation pending the determination of the case at the court of competent jurisdiction.
“It is on the above premise that we hereby demand as follows: “that the said obnoxious Map be removed from the Calendar of the state. We view such a calendar as not being approved by your office.
“The Appointment of Commissioners from Ibeno and Eastern Obolo into your Cabinet. The essential mobilisation of contractors for the completion of Urue Offong/ Oruko-Okobo-Nsit Atai-Uyo Road, Ibeno -Eket Road, Okoroete -Ikot Akpadem Road, and Okoroete -Illele Road in Eastern Obolo.
“We respect the administration of governor Umo Bassey Eno and that was why we called off our protest concerning the remapping saga on inception of his administration. And we demand that the Governor also accord us similar respect”
The youth leaders said failure of state government fail to meet their demand to remove the Map on the 2024 Calendar they would mobilize youths across the Obolo land and ensure that they stop operation of all the oil companies operating in their area.
They also said they have what it takes to defend their father’s land stressing that, “no amount of intimidation will make us accept to cede a piece of Obolo land to Ibibio people. We are committed to the struggle and be rest assured of our unalloyed support to your arise agenda.”
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