https://www.facebook.com/117677707862576/

Ekid People's Union - EPU, Ekpene Ukpa Road, Eket Local Government, Eket (2025)

26/09/2025

We must speak against this unjust exploitation and oppression of our people's legitimate rights. The denial of access to the Palm Plantation and cessation of their palm products by government agents is a grave injustice.

This thing must stop. Allow justice to sing it's songs of freedom

26/09/2025

Traditional Rulers' Summon on Native Charm Flops, Sparks Outcry, "On Whose Authority"?

Joseph Ekong

A planned meeting of the Akwa Ibom Traditional Rulers Council (AKTRC) at the White House, Wellington Bassey Way, Uyo, failed to hold yesterday, igniting sharp controversy over who authorized the contentious summon.

The gathering was allegedly convened to address the traditional prayers of Princess God’sown Udoito, who seeks justice over the Akoiyak (Stubb Creek Forest) heritage dispute. But credible sources revealed that the move was nothing more than a paid plot to intimidate the Ekid people and distort the ancestral rights of ownership over the disputed Stubb Creek Forest.

The controversial mission involved three paramount rulers—

HRM J. J. Obosi of Oruk Anam,
HRM Edidem Ita E. Okokon of Okobo, and
HRM Edidem Clement Ekpenyong of Ibesikpo Asutan—
who, on September 20, 2025, stormed the palace of the Paramount Ruler of Esit Eket, HRM Edidem Ubong Peter Assam, bearing a palm frond traditionally known as Akiti Mbiam.
They claimed to be intervening on behalf of government and representing the traditional institution, while summoning the Paramount Ruler of Esit Eket, the Executive Chairman of Esit Eket, Hon. Uduak Ikot, and Princess God’sown Udoito.

The scheme unraveled when the Paramount Ruler of Eket, HRM Edidem E. C. D. Abia, denounced the meeting as illegal and unauthorized, insisting that no such council meeting was scheduled.

Staff of the Traditional Rulers Council corroborated his position, stating there was no memo or directive for any gathering.
“As you can see, we are only cleaning up after the Akwa Ibom Anniversary event,” one worker disclosed.

Sources allege that the so-called “traditional envoys” are dancing to the tune of powerful political interests with covert stakes in the illegal exploitation of the Stubb Creek Forest.
For the Ekid people, the forest, known as Akoiyak, is an ancestral inheritance and sacred heritage, making any attempt to dispossess them a grave injustice.

The fiasco has now raised deeper questions about the integrity of the traditional institution and the shadowy forces manipulating it.
Observers liken the unfolding drama to the biblical challenge to Jesus and his disciples: “By whose authority do you do these things?”

Meanwhile, the debate over the potency of Mbiam (traditional oath) continues, with some elders asserting that the purity of a woman’s heart, such as that of Princess Udoito, carries greater spiritual weight than the morally compromised invocations of errant rulers.

23/09/2025

𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗨𝗟𝗔𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗬 𝗠𝗘𝗦𝗦𝗔𝗚𝗘

The Ekid People’s Union (EPU) warmly congratulates 𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗘𝗸𝗽𝗲 on his well-deserved Call to the Nigerian Bar. This remarkable feat is a testament to your hard work, perseverance, and commitment to excellence.

Beyond this professional milestone, the Union particularly celebrates your enduring contributions to the development and upliftment of the Ekid Nation. Your passion for justice and community advancement continues to inspire confidence in the brighter future we all seek.

As you step into this noble profession, we are confident that your voice will resonate in the pursuit of truth, equity, and the protection of the rights of all. May this achievement open even greater doors of service and distinction in the years ahead.

Once again, congratulations, 𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗘𝗸𝗽𝗲. The entire Ekid Nation is proud of you.

𝗦𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗲𝗱
For and on behalf of the Ekid People’s Union (EPU).

22/09/2025

AKWA ESOP IMAISONG IBIBIO FELICITATES HIS EMINENCE, NTEYIN (DR.) SOLOMON ETUK CFR, OKU-IBOM IBIBIO, ON HIS BIRTHDAY

On behalf of Akwa Esop Imaisong Ibibio, we extend our warmest and most heartfelt birthday wishes to His Eminence, Nteyin (Dr.) Solomon Daniel Etuk CFR, the Oku Ibom Ibibio and President General, Akwa Ibom State Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers.

Your reign at this time is a priceless gift to the Ibibio Nation and Akwa Ibom State. With wisdom, dignity, and courage, you have preserved our heritage, defended our values, and addressed the needs of our people.

As the foremost sociocultural organisation in Ibibioland, we salute and rejoice with you on this momentous day. We recognise your tireless efforts in promoting unity, upholding our traditions, and guiding our people with fatherly compassion.

We pray that Almighty God will grant you many more years in sound health, divine protection, and greater wisdom to continue steering the Ibibio Nation and Akwa Ibom State to greater heights. May your reign remain peaceful, fruitful, and filled with enduring legacies.

Happy Birthday, Your Eminence!

e-Signed:
Ntisong Pius James Okon
Ntisong IV, Akwa Esop Imaisong Ibibio

22/09/2025

Part one of the issue addressed. State Creation agitation finally led to rest.

Part 2 is to finally implement the official Map of the State. Pastor Umo Eno, speak the arching truth gyrating in your conscience. The truth you so know about Ibibio and their heritages.

22/09/2025

Ekid People's Union celebrates Ibibio Patriarch

17/09/2025

COMMUNITY TO GOVERNOR UMO ENO : FORGET NEW COMMITTEE, IMPLEMENT RULINGS ON EKID LAND

By Soni Daniel, Abuja

Ekid-speaking people of Akwa Ibom State have again asked Governor Umo Eno to take necessary steps to implement various court rulings affirming their ownership of the Stubbs Creek Forest, rather than raising a new committee to adjudicate on the matter with their Ibeno neighbours.

The Ekid people insist that the land matter had since been resolved by the courts and does not need any further intervention by the state government, as the rulings are clear and unambiguous.

The position of the community is contained in a communique issued at the end of their consultative meeting held at Atan Palace of the Paramount Ruler of Eket and made available to journalists on Monday in Abuja.

The communique was jointly signed by the Paramount Ruler, Obong ECD Abia, the President General of Ekit Peoples Union, Dr. Sam Udonsak, the National Secretary of the union, Barr. Bassey Dan-Abia and key stakeholders of Ekid Nationality.

At the expanded stakeholders meeting, the people rejected Akwa Ibom State governor’s proposed committee on Stubbs Creek Forest, saying that it was unnecessary and suspicious and requested for urgent implementation of previous court rulings on the matter.

The communique noted, “Apart from the suspicious composition, the stakeholders found the committee to be spurious and unnecessary in view of the numerous court judgments spanning over a century and the Statutes of the Legislature which the government has refused to implement.

“The Stakeholders have not found any legitimate basis for setting up a new Committee to review the court judgments, including those of the Privy Council in London of 1916 -1918. It has not found any explicable reason to review the statutes of the legislature on this matter. The Stakeholders believe that the proposed committee is an avenue to surreptitiously cover the illegal land deals in the Stubbs Creek and possibly request more concessions of land to the Ibeno people.

“We want to make it abundantly clear that the Ekid people will not make any more concessions to Ibeno in the Stubbs Creek Forest, as we have already conceded so much since their arrival on the Qua Iboe River estuary.

“By the same reasoning, the Ekid people cannot embrace the Governor’s Committee on Stubbs Creek Forest. The Ekid stakeholders will continue to stand by the existing court judgments affirming their ownership of the forest and its appurtenances. The Ekid people will firmly resist any attempt at the further balkanisation of the Forest, whether for the benefit of Ibeno or any other vested interest.

“The Government should implement its decision to demolish all illegal structures and set the forest free for a coordinated development in conjunction with the legitimate land owners. Akwa Ibom State Government should do the right thing and stop setting up another Committee and stop beating about the bush,” the people said.

“To understand why the Ekid Stakeholders cannot support Governor Umo Eno’s Committee on the Stubbs Creek Forest, one only needs to draw a parallel with a similar national dispute. After the International Court of Justice ceded the Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon and rendered Cross River State landlocked, the Cross River State Government began agitating for the return of 77 oil wells belonging to Akwa Ibom. In pursuit of this, Cross River dragged Akwa Ibom to the Supreme Court, but lost in a landmark judgment. Today, even as Cross River renews its claims on those oil wells, settled conclusively by the apex court, no one would expect the Akwa Ibom State Government to welcome a Federal Government committee to renegotiate the ownership of the oil wells.

“Ekid people would like the Governor to cast his mind back to the events of 1978 when the then Cross River State Government set up the Justice Olatawura Judicial Commission of Enquiry on the ownership of Stubbs Creek Forest. Oron hired the late Chief Awolowo as her Counsel, while the late Chief M. A. Ekpe and others represented Eket. On the opening day of the Commission’s sitting, Eket through her Counsel, Chief M. A. Ekpe, tabled the 1918 judgment of the Privy Council before the Commission and argued that under the legal principle of “res judicata” the Commission could not inquire into the ownership of Stubbs Creek Forest which had been settled by the highest court at the time. Chief Awolowo, a long-standing lawyer of high integrity who believed so much in the sanctity of court judgments, agreed with the legal team of Ekid people and recused himself from further participation. The Commission of Enquiry wound up on the first day of sitting.

“Again in 1993, Justice Ephraim Akpata, at a similar Commission of Inquiry on Stubbs Creek Forest ownership used the same legal principle to rule that the Ibenos should never be heard talk about the ownership of this forest again. Is the Governor’s proposed administrative Committee on Stubbs Creek Forests going to be superior to the Judicial Commissions headed by a renowned Judge of the Supreme Court?

© Vanguard

16/09/2025

The government dishonestly crafted committee is another mischievous game and an antics to subvert the truth, which will not stand.

It must be known that there is no dispute in the Stubbs Creek Forest, (Akoiyak). It is the ancestral land of Ibibio, the Ekid People of Southern Ibibio, affirmed by the Privy Council Judgement.

If the government seeks to do what is right, why not stand by the judgement.

The covert commercial expedition is already known beforehand and that criminality of selling portions of the land must stop.

Governor Umo Eno, you are a clergy and you know the truth, but you're being crafty with the truth.

05/06/2025

PUBLIC STATEMENT

NOW THAT IBENO PARAMOUNT RULER IS ON ANOTHER MACABRE DANCE.Time to Revisit his indictment by the Akpata Panel

The peace loving people of Akwa Ibom State have again been greeted with shock over an
attempt by the Paramount Ruler of Ibeno, Edidem Effiong Archianga to polarize the state
through his unguarded utterances against the immediate past Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel,CON. Despite hiding under the cloak of deriding Udom Emmanuel, the real dubious motive of his unwarranted outburst is clear; the 2023 Akwa Ibom Map Law in the media space.

We are very much aware that this State Law which Chief Archianga and his trouble seekers are fighting against, is currently in a court of competent jurisdiction. His anger and bile against Mr Emmanuel stems from the fact that the former Governor, acceded to the voice
of natural reasoning by righting years of injustice and deprivation that defied every legal means of containment. Effiong Archianga as expected, will always whine and moan about the Akwa Ibom Map Law as one of his problems because Udom Emmanuel toed the part of peace by giving the State its first ever gazetted map hence putting an end to the lies and deceit Archianga and his cohorts have been peddling for years especially over the I ownership of the Stubbs Creek Forest despite the 1918 Privy Court judgement.

These attempts by the Ibeno Paramount Ruler to create tension out of nothing is equivalent
to someone chasing his own shadow. Sometimes it is worth recounting if this is the same Archianga who along with his bunch of ethnic jingoists, have made several fruitless attempts to annex the veritable lands of our dear State to form a different State.
History has it that Effiong Archianga who is originally of Ekid origin, was actually a Village
Head of Okposo situated in the Stubbs Creek but in his dubious nature connived with
merchants of dishonor, annexed Ekidland to Ibeno people. In 1993, Effing Archianga sold
out his Ekid people to Ibeno, a settler clan. Archianga joined Ibeno to commit genocide
against the people of Esit Urua in Eket Local Government Area between December 1992
and April 1993 in the fight to annex Stubbs Creek, land of the Ekid people to Ibeno. The
Federal Military Government appointed a Panel of Inquiry into the disturbances and in Page
86 of the Panel's Report, Effiong Archianga was indicted for murder and arson and recommended for prosecution. But it is sad that rather than answering to charges preferred against him, he frog-leaped into becoming a village head. Despite his apparent short
memory, Chief Archianga cannot claim that he does not remember that he has family members in Esit Eket, the Itama family, at least the Ibenos said this much when his
Paramount Rulership was being disputed.

We won't be tempted to dig deep into his questionable title of Professor which he believes is gotten as a traditional title. It is alleged that Archianga sometime in 2022 harboured a certificate syndicate in his Ibeno residence called Saint Thomas-a-Becket University, claimed to be headquartered in Canterbury, England with a branch at Ibeno Nigeria.

However, checks revealed that such university is neither recognized by the British
Department of Education nor recognized by the Nigerian Universities Commission NUC.
Archianga arrogated to himself, a professorial title in the same year for his role in harboring the syndicates, an allegation he is yet to counter till date. The Nigerian security agents should take this seriously against this man.
Archianga's verbal outburst is indeed unbecoming of a monarch and we are forced to remind the entire world of the shaky foundation which his Certificate of Recognition rests.

The Akpata Panel found that under the 1990 and 1991 Traditional Rulers Edict, 18 Eket villages in the Stubb's Creek (Akoiyak) was fraudulently listed as Ibeno villages and that some Ibeno people were also fraudulently issued with certificates of recognition as village heads of those villages. The Panel recommended that those certificates should be
revoked. Effiong Archianga holds one of those fraudulent certificates till date as captured
in Page-77 of the Akpata Report.
It is noteworthy that the self-acclaimed ‘Professorial’ royal father's short memory has
prevented him from remembering that directive of the State Government, that forbids all
monarchs from granting interviews, especially on contentious issues. This is especially
more disturbing, given the huge investments, personal appeals and massive efforts of His
Excellency, Governor Umo Eno, to institutionalize peace across all parts of the State. In any case, what business does the Professorial Paramount Ruler have with political movements, that he will be recommending which political party the Governor should join and which party would foist candidates on the people. If his narrative is anything to go by, it therefore begs the question, was Pastor Umo Eno, imposed on the people of Akwa lbom State by the PDP? Was Rt. Hon. Okpolupm Etteh, a son of Ibeno, who currently serves the people of Eket Federal Constituency, forced by the PDP on the people? Such loquaciousness by someone who is meant to maintain peace, is really unwarranted.

The Paramount Ruler of Ibeno has failed to understand that the peace and progress of this state supersedes his selfish and desperate attempt to create tension out of nothing
Perhaps this has provided an opportunity for the State Goverment to call Chief
Archianga to order for his numerous atrocities. We hereby call for his prosecution to
answer for his crimes as duly documented in the Akpata Commission report.

Governor Umo Eno is a peace advocate, a symbol of humility and the pride of our dear
state. No degree of tantrums will create crisis in this State. Both Archianga and those
beating the war drums in the bush for his uninspiring dance steps, should understand that their archaic stock-in-trade is no longer fruitful and will do no one any good.

Long live Eket Integrity Alliance,
Long live Ekid People,
Long Live Ibibio nation
Long live Akwa Ibom State.

Signed:
Barrister Peter Ime Akpan
Secretary General

05/06/2025

EKID UNION PRESIDENT BERATES IBENO MONARCH FOR ATTACKING EX- GOV EMMANUEL

…labels him a greedy warmonger.

The President General of Ekid People’s Union Dr Samuel Udonsak has berated the Paramount Ruler of Ibeno Effiong Bassey Archianga for peddling false, malicious, unfounded allegations against former Governor Udom Emmanuel.

In a press statement titled “Between Udom Emmanuel’s Record, and an irritant Monarch’s Rant”, the Eket People’s Union President noted that Archianga’s “malicious utterances are designed not to build, but to tear down, and they stand in stark contrast to the verifiable records of Udom Emmanuel’s tenure. Records that speak for themselves and cannot be erased by propaganda.”

Speaking further Dr. Udonsak stressed that “It also smacks foolishness for the Paramount Ruler to shamelessly posit that no Ibeno son served in Udom’s government as Commissioner, whereas that government first appointed Mr Ekpenyong Enyinna as Commissioner before appointing Chief Okpolupm Etteh as his successor.

These are not indications of a “worst governor”; they are legacies of a governor who believed in equitable development and fairness.”

“It is both unfortunate and deeply concerning that the Paramount Ruler of Ibeno, ‘Professor’ Effiong Bassey Archianga, has chosen to use his exalted position to peddle malicious and unfounded allegations against the former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr Udom Emmanuel,CON, a leader whose tenure has been widely recognized for its unprecedented achievements and dedication to the peace, unity and progress of Akwa Ibom State.”

“I have been in the political space of this State long enough to distinguish between a constructive criticism and a disjointed attempt to obliterate history and cause confusion. For the records, I was running mate to Chief Ime Umanah, in the 2003 Governorship elections, I was an aspirant in the 2007 Governorship Elections and I was a member of the G-22, a groups of aspirants who who contested in the primaries of the 2015 elections. I played a critical role in galvanizing the group, for members who remained in PDP, in support to the Udom Emmanuel administration. Despite this, the then Governor chose to favour Chief Archianga’s kinsman, Rt. Hon. Okpolupm Etteh as his Honourary Special Adviser, Commissioner for Special Duties and later as House of Representatives member, a bit of history that the monarch seems to have forgotten.”

‎”Obviously, what ‘Professor’ Archianga seeks to portray is definitely nothing more than a wicked attempt to distort history and destabilize the peace that Governor Udom Emmanuel worked so hard to institute, nurture and protect. One must wonder what would prompt such a diatribe against a former governor who has since completed his tenure peacefully and given his successor the free hand to implement the ARISE Agenda across the state.
‎
‎It is not lost on Akwa Ibomites that individuals like Professor Archianga have always benefited from crises in the coastal communities. His bitterness and outbursts can only be interpreted as fear. Fear that the enduring peace and unity among the people of Ibeno and Akwa Ibom will cut him off from the crisis funds and other benefits he has long harvested in the name of “maintaining peace.”
‎
‎For instance, before the emergence of Udom Emmanuel, no road had been constructed in Ibeno. It was Governor Emmanuel who constructed a 19.5km dual carriage road linking Ibeno to Eket Local Government Area, opening up the region for commerce and development. This same governor ensured that for the first time in history, an illustrious son of Ibeno rose to become the highest political office holder in the entire Eket Federal Constituency.

‎Contrary to the Paramount Ruler’s bitter rhetoric, Udom Emmanuel’s government was a beacon of inclusive governance. Under his leadership, every local government area, including Ibeno, witnessed road projects and infrastructural development. He did not rule for one community or one party. He ruled for the entire Akwa Ibom State, restoring peace and prosperity and giving every citizen a renewed sense of belonging.
‎
‎Governor Emmanuel’s record of transformational projects is unmatched in the state’s history. From the Uyo-Etinan dual carriageway to the Etinan-Eket six-lane superhighway, the Uyo-Ikot Ekpene road, and the magnificent 10-lane Clement Isong - Idongesit Nkanga superhighway, the Etinan - Ndon Eyo dual road and the Airport expansion from four lane to Eight lanes, Governor Emmanuel connected communities, opened up trade routes, and redefined the face of the state.
‎
‎His tenure witnessed the birth of Ibom Air an airline that has placed Akwa Ibom on the global aviation map. His industrial drive birthed the Sterling Global Petrochemical in Eastern Obolo, the Kings Flour Mill, the Coconut Refinery, the Jubilee Syringe Factory, and the Metering Solutions Company ,creating jobs and stimulating the economy.
‎
Just as he built the highest number and longest dual carriageways, he also built the longest and most bridges, such as the Etebi - Enwang Bridge and the Ikot Oku Ikono Flyover, both measuring one kilometer each.
‎
‎Governor Emmanuel did not just build roads and bridges; he built people. Twelve general hospitals were remodeled and equipped. The Itam Multispecialty Hospital was brought back to life, and civil servants were never owed salaries, a testament to his belief in governance as a tool for service. He may not have been faired well in upsetting all the arrears of gratuities owed civil servants, but he never owed them pensions.
‎
‎The 18,000-seater Eket Sports Stadium and the facelift of Eket town are just a few of the ways he invested in the youth and their future.
‎
‎Under his leadership, Akwa Ibom got its first official map and the magnificent International Worship Centre, cementing the state’s Christian heritage and fostering unity. The 21-storey Udom Emmanuel Towers, the tallest building in South-South Nigeria, now houses the Bank of Industry in Akwa Ibom State, standing as an enduring legacy of visionary leadership.
‎
‎
‎Unlike those who see governance as a personal fiefdom, Udom Emmanuel believed in building on the successes of the past. He laid a solid foundation upon which his successor, Governor Umo Eno, now builds and expands, ensuring that projects like Ibom Air, the Victor Attah International Airport, and the Ibom Deep Seaport will not just remain dreams but become lasting legacies.
‎
‎Let it be said: while some talk, others work. While detractors hurl insults, Udom Emmanuel built roads, industries, and lives. While political opportunists sow division, he sowed peace and unity.
‎
‎Governance is not about noise; it is about impact. And the impact of Udom Emmanuel’s administration is etched in the roads we drive on, the hospitals that save lives, the jobs that feed families, and the peace that binds communities.
‎
‎To describe such a leader as “the worst governor” is either the product of a mind clouded by age-related forgetfulness or of a heart hardened by greed and a phobia for peace. History will remember Governor Udom Emmanuel as one of the best governors Akwa Ibom has ever produced,a governor who left the state better than he met it, and whose legacies continue to speak louder than any insult ever could.
‎
‎Let those who thrive on crisis find another stage for their performance. Akwa Ibom has moved beyond bitterness and division; it is on the path of progress, built on the solid foundation laid by leaders like Udom Emmanuel.

Ekid People's Union - EPU

26/09/2025

26/09/2025

23/09/2025

22/09/2025

22/09/2025

22/09/2025

17/09/2025

16/09/2025

05/06/2025

05/06/2025

Address

Website

Alerts

Shortcuts

Share