By Assam Abia.
UYO, Nigeria – The Open Forum Care for Humanity Foundation has called on Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State to take decisive action on the lingering Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve (Akoiyak Ekid) land controversy, warning that silence from critical stakeholders amounts to complicity and could escalate existing tensions in the area.
In a strongly worded statement signed by its Founder and President, Citizen Matthew Koffi Okono (MkO), the Foundation expressed concern over what it described as a pattern of “dangerous silence” by government authorities, religious leaders, and community stakeholders in the face of alleged illegal acquisition and racketeering in the disputed Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve.
Open Forum noted that the dispute—pitting Eket and Esit Eket people against their Ibeno neighbours—has taken a disturbing turn, with accusations of government involvement in a “multi-billion-naira plunder” of Ekid ancestral land.
The group referenced an earlier statement by the Ekid People’s Union (EPU), led by Dr. Samuel Udonsak and Hon. (Barr.) Bassey Dan-Abia Jr., accusing the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Lands of orchestrating what it termed “the largest organized criminal confiscation of Ekid ancestral land in history.” The EPU had also challenged Governor Eno’s credibility, alleging that his administration’s silence was aiding a “shameless racketeering empire” within the Ministry of Lands.
According to Open Forum, the situation has been further complicated by the involvement of the Akwa Ibom State Traditional Rulers Council in a controversial summons to Princess God’sown Udoito, a traditional worshipper from Esit Eket who had conducted a ritual prayer session for justice over the disputed land.
A viral video had shown three paramount rulers visiting the Paramount Ruler of Esit Eket to deliver a summons directing the monarch and a clan head to produce Princess Udoito before the Council in Uyo. The development sparked widespread criticism and embarrassment for the traditional institution after the video of the “rare sacred visit” was leaked online.
Open Forum condemned the incident as a “breach of protocol and secrecy,” urging royal fathers to guard their institution against manipulation by politically exposed persons seeking to protect their interests. The organization advised that Palace Advisory Councils be established to guide paramount rulers and clan heads on sensitive matters requiring legal, cultural, or political interpretation.
“The revered traditional institution must be insulated from poor judgment, petty influences, and crude interests of politicians. Our royal fathers must not be dragged into controversies that weaken public confidence,” the statement warned.
The group expressed disappointment that while swift action was taken against Princess Udoito’s private worship, little attention was given to addressing the root cause of her protest—the unresolved question of justice over Stubbs Creek.
It also lamented the growing silence of political and opinion leaders on the crisis, urging them to speak up before tensions spiral into violence.
“Those who are always visible at ceremonies within and outside the State should not become invisible when responsibilities of leadership beckon,” Open Forum cautioned. “Everything should not be left to the Governor before issues are resolved. A stitch in time shall not only save nine but protect the reputation and safety of nearly nine million Akwa Ibom citizens.”
Reaffirming its commitment to the Akwa Ibom dream of peace and justice, Open Forum appealed to Governor Eno to adopt a transparent and fair process in resolving the dispute in line with existing court judgments and the rule of law.
“This is a test of leadership. The government must do the right thing, stop the land racketeering, and restore public confidence in justice,” the statement concluded.