Sunday January 4, 2026
www.thenewsdesk.ng
By Emem BRANDY
The people of Ibeno Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State have welcomed Governor Umo Eno’s peace efforts over the lingering Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve dispute, and firmly rejected what they described as “Eket’s aggressive posture and misrepresentation of facts”.
Speaking on behalf of Ibeno Clan Council, its Secretary, Chief Udofia Okon Udofia, commended the Governor for “standing on side of truth” during the Commissioning of a new model Primary Health Centre, recent remarks at Nduo Eduo in Eket Local Government Area.
He said the Governor’s position had helped clarify long-standing misconceptions held by Eket on the ownership, and use of the Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve; a strategic area critical to the state’s development agenda.
Chief Udofia dismissed claims allegedly credited to the Eket Peoples Union (EPU) through its President, Dr. Samuel Udonsak, suggesting that Eket villages were transferred to Ibeno.
According to him, “no such transfer ever occurred, stressing that the villages in question are customary Ibeno villages duly recognized and gazetted by government”.
He questioned why a sociocultural organisation, which should promote harmony, would “continually dissipate energy stoking conflict where none exists,” adding that elders should be more focused on development-driven solutions for their communities.
“If Dr. Udonsak and his group are confident about their claims on Stubbs Creek, they should appear before the peace committee to be set up by the state government with valid records, instead of making endless public utterances on issues they barely understand,” Chief Udofia said.
He noted that Esit Urua community in Eket, having come to terms with the truth, had long withdrawn from the agitation and embraced Ibeno stakeholders in the search for lasting peace between the two local governments.
Ibeno leaders also described EPU’s recent rejoinder to Governor Eno’s warning to Eket’s caveat emptor—as disrespectful to the office of the Governor, urging the group to accept facts rather than propagate what they called “lies and tantrums.”
At the Nduo Eduo event, Governor Umo Eno reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to the Calabar–Lagos Coastal Highway, a major national project expected to pass through the Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve in Ibeno Local Government Area.
He condemned demands by Eket interests for compensation before access to the land, warning that such attempts to obstruct development would not stand.
“I will bulldoze that place and build the coastal highway,” the Governor declared, insisting that no individual or group would be allowed to hinder progress.
He maintained that the state was acting within the law, despite petitions and public notices allegedly issued to frustrate the project.
Governor Eno described Eket’s claims as outdated and based on legal misinterpretations, emphasizing that development must proceed in line with existing laws and government gazettes.
Ibeno leaders publicly aligned themselves with the Governor’s stance and peace initiative, expressing gratitude to him for taking decisive leadership.
They also praised Esit Urua community for embracing the peace process initiated by the Governor in 2025 and rejecting attempts to provoke violence.
Chief Udofia said Esit Urua had pledged to work towards lasting harmony with Ibeno and would not be drawn into any agenda aimed at escalating tensions.
The Ibeno community has again challenged Eket to produce verifiable legal documents and maps to substantiate its continued claims to the Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve. Failing that, they argued, Eket should forever remain silent and completely bury their heads in shame. They should desist from further agitation and allow peace and development to prevail in Akwa Abasi-Ibom state.
Governor Eno has for the second time announced plans to set up a Peace Committee to hear all sides, insisting that any party dissatisfied with government decisions must seek redress through lawful means.
He also rebuked Eket for rejecting earlier invitations to dialogue, describing the refusal as a setback to peaceful resolution.
“The government’s resolve is unwavering. Whenever the state is ready, we will act,” the Governor warned, adding that intimidation and inflammatory rhetoric would not be tolerated.
Echoing the Governor’s position, Ibeno stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to peace but made it clear that they would not compromise on justice or allow the situation to degenerate into conflict.
As Akwa Ibom State moves to balance development imperatives with land rights, all eyes are now on the proposed Peace Committee, as Ibeno continue to insist that, Eket must come to the table with credible historical, legal, geographical and customary evidences or accept that it has no stake in the Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve.
For Ibeno, our message is clear; “progress must continue, peace must prevail, and justice must not be sacrificed”, declared Chief Udofia.
