Sunday May 10, 2026
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By Eddie ESSIEN

The Ibeno Clan Council has urged the Akwa Ibom State Government to disregard the controversial Akwa Ibom State Map Establishment Law, 2023, insisting that only the National Boundary Commission (NBC) possesses the constitutional authority to delineate coastal boundaries and determine host communities for the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

The Council’s position follows a recent landmark judgment of the Federal High Court in Delta State, where Justice Hyeladzira Nganjiwa ruled that only the National Boundary Commission has the legal mandate to determine and delineate coastal host communities in accordance with the law.

Speaking on Sunday at Upenekang, the Secretary of Ibeno Clan Council, Chief Okon Udofia, strongly rejected recent calls by some stakeholders in Eket Senatorial District seeking validation of the disputed map allegedly introduced by the immediate past administration of former Governor Udom Emmanuel.

Chief Udofia described the position canvassed by an Ekid stakeholder, Elder Etukudoh Essien, as “a fraud of the highest order,” accusing certain interests of attempting to distort historical and territorial realities for economic advantage under the Petroleum Industry Act.

According to him, the Akwa Ibom State Map Establishment Law was hurriedly passed and signed into law in April 2023 without complying with constitutional procedures outlined under Section 8(4) of the 1999 Constitution.

He argued that any legitimate boundary adjustment must involve consultations with affected communities and secure the approval of at least two-thirds of elected representatives and local government councils concerned before legislative endorsement by the State House of Assembly.

Chief Udofia maintained that no such constitutional process was followed in the case of the controversial map law, alleging that critical coastal communities such as Ibeno, Mbo and Eastern Obolo were excluded from consultations despite their direct territorial and economic interests in the matter.

“The Constitution does not permit any government to circumvent due process by merely renaming a boundary adjustment exercise as a ‘Map Establishment Law.’

“You cannot do indirectly what the Constitution requires you to do directly,” he declared.

The Ibeno leader further alleged that the former administration allegedly pressured lawmakers into passing legislation designed to favour certain political interests at the expense of historically recognised host communities.

He warned that such actions could unlawfully deprive legitimate coastal communities of their benefits under the Petroleum Industry Act.

Chief Udofia also condemned what he described as attempts by some Ekid representatives to present a “fake map” of Akwa Ibom State to personnel of the Nigerian Air Force, alleging that the move was intended to mislead federal authorities and distort legally recognised coastal boundaries.

“This is a legally sensitive and fact-specific dispute. Ekid people must understand that trying to rope uninformed outsiders into their misconception cannot create a history they do not possess,” he stated.

The Council noted that the disputed law has already generated widespread controversy, litigation and violent clashes among affected communities, with several suits currently pending before the courts.

While commending Governor Umo Eno for insisting on the maintenance of the status quo pending judicial determination of the disputes involving Ibeno, Mbo and Eastern Obolo local government areas, the Council urged all parties to avoid inflammatory statements capable of escalating tensions.

“We stand with the Governor’s directive that the status quo must be maintained as an interim measure. We urge Ekid stakeholders to respect constituted authority and allow the courts to determine the issues before them,” Chief Udofia added.

The Council insisted that the recent Federal High Court judgment has further reinforced its position that no state government possesses unilateral powers to alter coastal boundaries or redefine host community status outside the constitutional framework established by law.

Ibeno stakeholders also dismissed allegations that their opposition to the 2023 map law was driven by ethnic rivalry or expansionist ambitions, insisting that their agitation is rooted in the defence of constitutional order, historical truth and the protection of legitimate economic rights of recognised coastal communities.

They therefore called on the Akwa Ibom State Government to formally discountenance the 2023 Map Establishment Law and align with the Federal High Court judgment affirming the exclusive authority of the National Boundary Commission over coastal boundary delineation and host community determination under the Petroleum Industry Act.