January 25, (THEWILL) — The Ibeno Clan Council has accused the Eket People’s Union (EPU) of abandoning its cultural mandate and operating as what it described as an unelected opposition intent on obstructing development in Akwa Ibom State.
Speaking with journalists in Upenekang, the Secretary of the Ibeno Clan Council, Chief Udofia Okon Udofia, said the union had shifted from a sociocultural organisation to a political pressure group, alleging that its actions were undermining governance, investment and institutional authority in the state.
According to Udofia, tensions escalated after Governor Umo Eno declined to endorse EPU’s claims over the Stubbs Creek Reserve Forest in Odorokuku/Utan, Ibeno, citing existing records and the responsibility of the government to act in the interest of all citizens.
He stated that the governor’s decision marked a turning point in the union’s engagement with the state, alleging that EPU subsequently adopted a confrontational posture rather than pursuing legal options or dialogue mechanisms earlier proposed by the governor.
Udofia alleged that the union resorted to personal attacks and inflammatory rhetoric directed at the governor and state institutions, a development he said weakened confidence in governance.
He further claimed that EPU’s activities had moved beyond grievance advocacy to sustained opposition against the administration without an electoral mandate, adding that policies and development initiatives were being assessed through what he described as ethnic considerations rather than merit.
The Ibeno Clan Council expressed concern that such a posture could discourage investors and negatively affect major projects, including investments linked to BUA, Seplat, Tulcan and the Coastal Highway project.
According to Udofia, investor confidence depends on stability and predictability, warning that persistent disputes and hostile narratives could portray the state as an unfavourable investment destination.
The council maintained that Governor Eno’s refusal to validate disputed claims was consistent with his constitutional responsibility to protect public interest and uphold existing laws and records.
“No governor sworn to serve the entire state can relinquish public trust under sectional pressure”, Udofia said, stressing that governance decisions must be guided by law and due process.
He argued that the current dispute transcends land ownership, raising broader concerns about the role of cultural organisations in public affairs.
“At a time when Akwa Ibom requires stability, cohesion and investment, the choice of confrontation over engagement has wider implications for development”, he said.
Udofia concluded that while administrations change, official records endure, warning that development setbacks caused by prolonged disputes could be difficult to reverse.
