Akwa Ibom Remapping: Oro Redemption Forum Questions 2023 Map, Warns Against Ethnic Tensions

The Oro Redemption Forum, a pan-Oro emancipation advocacy group, has raised concerns over what it described as increasing hostility and inflammatory rhetoric directed at the Oro-Obolo people, warning that the development could threaten peace, unity and security in Akwa Ibom State.
In a press statement dated August 25, 2026, the group reacted to an interview allegedly granted by Akparawa Idongesit Ikono, who it said claimed to speak for Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio and Afigh Iwaad Ekid.
The forum accused the interviewee and groups he purportedly represented of distorting historical facts and promoting what it described as hate speech against the Oro-Obolo people.
At the centre of the controversy is the 2023 remapping of Akwa Ibom State, which the forum questioned and described as an exercise that requires further scrutiny based on historical records, survey documents, court judgments and established geographical realities.
The group questioned what map governed Akwa Ibom State before 2023, arguing that the state had been administered since its creation in 1987 on the basis of an established geographical and territorial framework.
It also raised questions about the maps and boundary documents used in previous disputes involving Akwa Ibom, Cross River and Rivers states, particularly those connected with the longstanding oil-wells dispute that culminated in the Supreme Court’s 2012 judgment.
The forum further cited legal challenges to the remapping exercise, including Suit No. HU/341/2021, Joseph Daniel Ekoyork & Ors v. Akwa Ibom State & Ors, in which it said the Akwa Ibom State High Court, Uyo, delivered judgment on January 27, 2022.
According to the group, the court restrained the defendants from remapping or adjusting affected local government boundaries without complying with Section 8(4) of the 1999 Constitution.
It also referenced Suit No. FHC/UY/CS/49/2023, The Paramount Ruler of Ibeno & 8 Ors v. Akwa Ibom State & 15 Ors, filed at the Federal High Court in connection with the 2023 map law.
The Oro Redemption Forum questioned why the remapping exercise proceeded despite the legal challenges, describing the issue as one that should be examined within the context of the rule of law.
The group argued that the geographical relationship between coastal communities in Oron, Okobo, Urue Offong/Oruko, Udung Uko, Mbo, Eastern Obolo and Ibeno and the Atlantic Ocean was a physical reality that, in its view, should not be altered through political or cartographic decisions.
It maintained that Akwa Ibom State did not acquire new territory, geography or historical boundaries in 2023 and therefore demanded an explanation of what necessitated the remapping exercise.
The forum also expressed concern over what it described as rising ethnic rhetoric, alleging that inflammatory statements could fuel rivalry, violence and social unrest if not addressed.
Referencing the work of genocide scholar Dr Gregory Stanton, the group said it was concerned about what it described as early warning signs of organised discrimination, while urging stakeholders to prevent the escalation of tensions.
The forum stressed that the slogan “Akwa Ibom United” should translate into equal treatment, justice and protection for all communities across the state.
It called on community leaders, cultural organisations and other stakeholders to intervene and urged all groups involved in the controversy to exercise restraint.
The group also called for the investigation and prosecution of Dr. Udonsak over what it described as a “callous, violent and incriminating statement,” alleging that the remarks had heightened tension in the state.
The Oro Redemption Forum appealed to Governor Umo Eno to intervene in the remapping controversy and protect what it described as the rights and interests of the Oro-Obolo people.
It said the peace, unity and development of Akwa Ibom should not be sacrificed for ethnic, political or economic interests.
The statement was signed by Ulap Henshaw Assi, Acting Chairman/Secretary; Ulap Ezekiel Ibok, Director of Public Communication; and Ulap Kingsley Akaiso, Esq., Director of Legal Services.

Akwa Ibom Communities Laud Governor Eno as Internal Roads Set for Commissioning

Residents, traditional rulers, stakeholders and motorists across communities in Eket and Nsit Ubium Local Government Areas are full of appreciation to Governor Umo Eno for the ongoing road projects opening up their communities and transforming movement and economic activities.
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While the 11.62km dualisation of the Ikot Imo – Ikot Ekpene Udo – Okon Eket road is nearing completion, work has defied the adverse weather conditions to advance significantly on the 9km network of internal roads around Ndiya Ikot Ukap.
With nine internal roads expected to be ready for commissioning in September and the bridge project targeted for completion in December, residents of Nsit Ubium and neighbouring Eket say Governor Eno’s road interventions are opening up communities, strengthening connectivity and creating fresh economic opportunities across the area.

A major construction firm, Amitec Construction and Development Limited, the contractor handling internal roads in the area has announced that nine of the projects are expected to be ready for commissioning in September 2026.

Speaking with journalists, Engr. Victor Ihiabe of Amitec said about 10km of the 20.72km road network being handled by the company would be completed by September.
The projects include Ata Essien, Ikot Udo Obok, Enen Akpan, Ikot Ibiok, Apostolic, Ndueso Crescent, Ikot Ekpene Udo, Ikot Akpabin and Atung Essien roads.

Ihiabe explained that the projects go beyond asphalt paving, incorporating drainage systems, electrical poles, solar-powered streetlights, walkways and kerb stone to provide comprehensive infrastructure for the communities.

He also commended the host communities for their cooperation, noting that the engagement and training of local youths as technicians, equipment operators and labourers had created employment, built skills and fostered a sense of ownership.

Also speaking, Site Engineer, Engr. David Ebong, said the 2.49km Ofriyo–Ikot Ekpene Udo road project features a 120-metre-span bridge linking Nsit Ubium directly with neighbouring Eket Local Government Area.

According to him, although rainfall had slowed construction, work remained on course, with 100 of the 130 structural piles already completed.

“The Ofriyo – Ikot Ekpene road is expected to be completed by December”.
Ebong assured

Leading the community’s appreciation, the Village Head of Ikot Ekpene Udo, Ette Idung Udo Usoro Johnson Usoro, said the Governor’s intervention had brought long-awaited development and relief to the people.

“Fortunately, our son, His Excellency Governor Umo Eno, has brought a great change to the community, and we are happy,” he said, adding that the new bridge would end years of isolation and improve access to Ofriyo in Eket Local Government Area.

The Youth Leader of Ikot Ekpene Udo and Community Liaison Officer for Amitec, Builder Aniefiok Ndueso, said the projects had improved security, facilitated night-time movement and stimulated commercial activities, while creating employment and skills-development opportunities for local youths.

Rural Road Revolution

Residents and business owners, including Mary John Okon, Joy David, Progress Ime David and Magdelene Anthony, said the improved roads had eased movement, reduced the effects of flooding and poor access, increased customer traffic and boosted commercial activities.

A commercial motorcyclist from Mkpat Enin, Pastor Kufre Ubong, said the new road link and bridge had also eliminated the difficult detours previously caused by the collapse of a major route.
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Ibom Medical City, PHCs: Nurses Honour Governor Eno for Healthcare Milestones

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has received accolades from the Body of Heads of Nursing Services Department and Principals of Schools in Federal Health Institutions (BOHNAPFHI) and the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) for his administration’s reforms and investments in the state’s health sector.
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The awards were presented to the Governor on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, during a stakeholders’ engagement on ARISE 2.0, the state’s economic development plan, and a review of projects scheduled for commissioning in September 2026 at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Uyo.

BOHNAPFHI honoured Governor Eno for his “exemplary leadership, visionary contributions and unwavering commitment to the development of healthcare services and infrastructure through the ARISE Agenda.”

NANNM, on its part, conferred on him the Nurse-Friendly Governor Award, recognising what it described as his “outstanding leadership, exceptional commitment and deliberate investment in strengthening the nursing and midwifery workforce.”

Speaking during the engagement, the Team Lead and Registrar/Chief Executive Officer of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, Ndaji Alhassan, said the delegation visited Akwa Ibom to appreciate Governor Eno’s contributions to healthcare development in the state.

Alhassan, who was accompanied by the National Chairman of BOHNAPFHI, Dr. (Mrs.) Jenny Akpan, commended the Ibom Medical City project, model primary healthcare centres and other health infrastructure initiatives undertaken by the administration.

He described the projects as commendable and deserving of recognition.

Similarly, the National President of NANNM, represented by the National Financial Secretary, Comrade Dr. Ojong Ofut Ogar, praised Governor Eno for what he described as “giant strides” in the health sector.

He also thanked the Governor for creating an enabling environment for NANNM to hold its 2026 conference in Akwa Ibom.

The State Chairman of NANNM, Comrade Nsikan Udoh, said nurses in Akwa Ibom had “never had it so good,” citing the administration’s transformation of healthcare infrastructure and improvements in the welfare and working conditions of health workers.

Udoh assured Governor Eno of the association’s continued support for his administration and the ARISE Agenda.

Responding, Governor Eno expressed appreciation to the two organisations for the honours and for selecting Akwa Ibom as the venue for the 2026 NANNM conference.
He dedicated the awards to the people of Akwa Ibom State and others who had contributed to the development of the state’s health sector.

The Governor said his administration’s healthcare transformation agenda extended beyond infrastructure to human capital development, noting that the state had employed young graduates while also engaging retired nurses to tap into their experience and expertise.

Ibom Medical City

He emphasised that a healthy population was critical to the success of any government and assured that his administration would sustain its investments in healthcare.
Governor Eno also commended the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ekem John, for his dedication and contributions to the development of the sector.

The delegation included the Chief Medical Director of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH), Professor Emem Abasi Bassey; Deputy Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee (DCMAC), UUTH, Professor Eyo Ekpe; and other officials.
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