By Ogenyi Ogenyi, Uyo
The Ibeno Clan Council has strongly condemned the alleged presentation of a “fake” map of Akwa Ibom State by Eket Local Government authorities to the Nigerian Air Force, describing the act as provocative, misleading, and a direct affront to Governor Umo Eno and the judiciary.
In a statement issued by its Secretary, Chief Udofia Udofia, in Upenekang on Sunday, the council accused the Eket Paramount Ruler, E. C. Abia, and the Council Chairman, Akaninyene Tommy, of presenting what it described as an “illegal and contrived map” to visiting officials of the Nigerian Air Force during discussions on the proposed establishment of an air base in Eket.
While acknowledging the significance of the Air Force project to the state’s development, the council expressed dismay that such an occasion was used to showcase what it termed a “fake” document.
It insisted that the map presented does not represent the legally recognised boundaries of Akwa Ibom State but reflects controversial alterations introduced during the administration of former Governor Udom Gabriel Emmanuel.
The council alleged that the disputed map forms part of a broader agenda to extend the boundaries of Eket, Esit Eket, and Onna Local Government Areas to the Atlantic Ocean, thereby enabling access to derivation benefits tied to oil-producing communities under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
It further suggested that cultural and historical affiliations between the Ekid nationality and the former governor may have influenced the boundary adjustments.
Describing the development as deliberate, the Ibeno Clan Council maintained that the use of the “fake” map contravenes an earlier directive by Governor Umo Eno, who ordered the suspension of the controversial 2023 map pending the outcome of ongoing litigation on the matter.
The statement noted that Ibeno, Mbo, and Eastern Obolo Local Government Areas are currently in court challenging the legality of the Akwa Ibom State Map Establishment Law 2023, arguing that it altered constitutionally recognised boundaries without due process.
According to the council, the law bypassed essential constitutional requirements, including public consultations, referenda, stakeholder engagement, and legislative transparency.
“It is a fundamental legal principle that what cannot be done directly under the Constitution cannot be achieved indirectly through state legislation,” the council stated, adding that boundary adjustments fall within the exclusive purview of the National Boundary Commission under the authority of the Presidency.
Chief Udofia expressed appreciation to Governor Umo Eno and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for facilitating the establishment of the Air Force base, describing it as a welcome development.
However, he cautioned against actions capable of igniting tension among affected communities and urged the people of Akwa Ibom to recognise the original state map comprising the 31 gazetted local government areas, as used during and after the Supreme Court oil wells judgment under former Governor Victor Attah.
The council called on the state government to rein in the Eket Local Government leadership and urged security agencies, particularly the Nigerian Air Force, to disregard the disputed map in official dealings.
Reaffirming its stance, the Ibeno Clan Council emphasised that the existing state map, in use since 1987, remains the only legitimate reference until the courts determine otherwise, warning that any attempt to enforce the contested version could undermine peace and stability in the state.
