By: Theresa Donatus, Uyo.
The Oron Union has condemned what it described as inflammatory, provocative and ethnically divisive remarks allegedly made against the Oro Nation, calling on the Akwa Ibom State Government to urgently intervene to preserve peace and harmonious coexistence among the state’s ethnic nationalities.
In a press statement issued on Tuesday and signed by its Publicity Secretary, Dr. Prince Edenseting, the union expressed concern over what it described as increasingly confrontational statements emanating from certain individuals within the Ibibio/Ekid constituency regarding the Oro people, their ancestral identity, constitutional aspirations and geographical interests.
The union, however, commended Governor Pastor Umo Eno and Deputy Governor Senator Akon Eyakenyi for their commitment to peace, unity, social cohesion and equitable development in the state, expressing confidence in the administration’s ability to safeguard the longstanding cordial relationship among the various ethnic groups.
It appealed to the governor and his deputy to call to order individuals whose comments, it said, were capable of undermining the peaceful coexistence that has historically existed among the constituent ethnic nationalities of Akwa Ibom State.
According to the statement, the union’s concerns were heightened by remarks allegedly made by the President of Ekid Peoples Union, Dr. Samuel Udonsak, during the swearing-in ceremony of the 12th International Executive Council of Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio held in Uyo on July 24.
The Oron Union alleged that the speech contained assertions relating to Oro-Obolo identity, the proposed creation of an Oro-Obolo State, the Atlantic shoreline, the Ibom Deep Seaport and the territorial status of the Oro Nation, describing the comments as capable of provoking ethnic apprehension and hostility.
It particularly faulted the reported declaration that the Oro Nation “is not, and will not be, a littoral state in our generation,” as well as claims regarding the ownership of certain territories and the Atlantic coastline.
The union maintained that issues relating to territorial boundaries, state creation, geographical jurisdiction and constitutional rights are matters that should be determined through lawful institutions, including the courts, rather than through public declarations, ethnic mobilization or social media campaigns.
Rejecting what it described as attempts to transform legitimate historical and constitutional questions into contests of ethnic superiority, the union insisted that the Oro people remain peaceful, law-abiding and committed to pursuing their interests through democratic and constitutional means.
It reaffirmed that the campaign for the creation of an Oro-Obolo State remains a legitimate constitutional aspiration and argued that no ethnic nationality possesses the authority to veto the political aspirations of another.
The statement further emphasized that the Oro people have no intention of dispossessing neighbouring ethnic groups of their lawful rights and reiterated their commitment to maintaining cordial relationships with the Ibibio, Ekid, Annang, Obolo, Nkari, Itu Mbuzor and other ethnic nationalities in the state.
Addressing the controversy surrounding the proposed Ibom Deep Seaport, the Oron Union argued that the project should be viewed as a strategic economic asset for Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria rather than an issue of ethnic ownership.
It stated that questions concerning the seaport’s geographical location, territorial jurisdiction, host community interests and economic benefits should be resolved through constitutional procedures and judicial processes where necessary.
The union also condemned what it described as derogatory and misogynistic comments allegedly made by an individual identified as Emem Gregory and others against Oro women.
Describing the comments as malicious, irresponsible and offensive, the union said no ethnic group should collectively malign the character or dignity of women because of the actions or statements of any individual.
“The dignity of women should never become a weapon in ethnic politics, and no nationality should seek to elevate itself by humiliating the women of another,” the statement said.
Calling for restraint, the union appealed to traditional rulers, political leaders, youth organizations, religious leaders, intellectuals and civil society groups across Akwa Ibom State to reject inflammatory rhetoric capable of fueling ethnic tension.
It stressed that no ethnic nationality in the state should regard another as an enemy, noting that the real challenges confronting the people include poverty, unemployment, insecurity, poor infrastructure and underdevelopment.
The Oron Union urged the state government to convene relevant ethnic and community leaders, discourage provocative public statements on sensitive issues such as territorial claims and state creation, promote dialogue and constitutional dispute resolution mechanisms, protect the security of all ethnic nationalities without bias and apply appropriate legal measures where public comments threaten peace or violate existing laws.
While assuring that it would not be provoked into confrontation, the union declared that it would continue to defend the legitimate interests of the Oro Nation through lawful, intellectual and democratic means.
It also appealed to Oro sons and daughters to remain calm, vigilant and law-abiding, urging them to resist every temptation to respond to provocation with counter-provocation.
Reaffirming its commitment to peaceful coexistence, the union concluded that legal disputes should be resolved by the courts, historical questions examined by historians and constitutional issues determined through established democratic processes, while all stakeholders work together to preserve the peace and unity of Akwa Ibom State.
