COMMUNIQUÉ ISSUED BY MBOHO MKPARAWA IBIBIO (MMI) AT THE END OF ITS 39TH FOUNDERS’ DAY CELEBRATION HELD ON SATURDAY, 1ST AUGUST, 2026, AT THE MBOHO MKPARAWA IBIBIO INTERNATIONAL HEADQUARTERS AND COMMUNITY CENTRE, UDO UDOMA AVENUE, UYO, AKWA IBOM STATE

COMMUNIQUÉ ISSUED BY MBOHO MKPARAWA IBIBIO (MMI) AT THE END OF ITS 39TH FOUNDERS’ DAY CELEBRATION HELD ON SATURDAY, 1ST AUGUST, 2026, AT THE MBOHO MKPARAWA IBIBIO INTERNATIONAL HEADQUARTERS AND COMMUNITY CENTRE, UDO UDOMA AVENUE, UYO, AKWA IBOM STATE

PREAMBLE

Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio (MMI), the foremost socio-cultural organisation of the Ibibio ethnic nationality, established on 1st August, 1987, in Calabar, Cross River State, shortly before the creation of Akwa Ibom State, commemorated its 39th Founders’ Day on Saturday, 1st August, 2026.

Having reviewed the addresses delivered by the International President of Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio, Akparawa (Elder) Ini-Abasi Ekanem, and the President-General of Ekid People’s Union, Dr. Samuel Udonsak, during the inauguration of the 12th International Executive Council of Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio on Friday, 24th July, 2026, and reaffirming our commitment to truth, justice, the rule of law, and peaceful coexistence, the organisation hereby issues the following communiqué.

This communiqué is intended neither as an act of provocation nor hostility, but as a reasoned statement aimed at placing historical, legal, and constitutional facts in their proper perspective.

RESOLUTIONS

After extensive deliberations, Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio resolved as follows:

1. MMI affirms that all statements made during the inauguration ceremony of the 12th International Executive Council were founded on verifiable historical facts, established legal principles, and constitutional realities. They represented the official and considered position of the organisation and not the personal opinions of any individual.

2. MMI expresses concern over persistent attempts to reference Ekid, Itu Mbonuso, Nkari, and other Ibibio sub-groups as distinct ethnic nationalities rather than by their proper historical and collective identity as components of the Ibibio ethnic nationality.

The organisation observes that, over several decades, some political actors within the Oron Federal Constituency have pursued what scholars describe as ethnic balkanization by nomenclature with the apparent objective of weakening the political and developmental cohesion of the Ibibio people.

MMI reiterates that the Oron Federal Constituency is historically and anthropologically composed of both Ibibio and Efik elements, while the core Oro ethnic group traditionally occupies parts of Oron and Urue Offong/Oruko Local Government Areas. The Ibibio ethnic nationality has never sought to fragment the Oro people for political advantage and therefore rejects every attempt to portray Ibibio unity as a threat while simultaneously promoting ethnic fragmentation.

3. MMI observes that since the withdrawal of a section of the Oro people from the Ibibio ethnic group in 1937 following the Ibibio State Union scholarship initiative, a recurring pattern has emerged whereby certain Oro leaders and commentators resort to ethnic blackmail whenever legitimate historical or legal issues are raised.

The organisation notes with concern the increasing incidence of disparaging comments directed at the Ibibio people and several of their distinguished leaders across social media and other public platforms. Such conduct is inconsistent with genuine calls for peace, restraint, and responsible leadership.

MMI particularly states that former Governor Udom Emmanuel, CON, inherited the Ibom Deep Seaport project from previous administrations and neither commissioned nor authored the technical reports relating to the project.

Consequently, Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio hereby gives notice that it will no longer tolerate defamatory or disparaging remarks directed against any Ibibio leader, son, or daughter. Such actions shall be challenged through every lawful means available.

4. MMI recalls that on 25th June, 1999, stakeholders from the Oron Federal Constituency adopted the Oro Bill of Rights, which proposed political alignment with Ibeno and Eastern Obolo in pursuit of state creation.

The organisation notes that Section 8(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), prescribes constitutional requirements for state creation, including territorial contiguity. MMI observes that the Oron Federal Constituency, Ibeno Local Government Area, and Eastern Obolo Local Government Area do not constitute one continuous landmass.

Accordingly, any attempt to establish contiguity through claims over Ibibio coastal territories is constitutionally untenable and unacceptable.

5. MMI further observes that the various clans within the Oron Federal Constituency do not share a common ethnic origin with the peoples of Ibeno and Eastern Obolo. The organisation therefore regards the Oro–Obolo alliance as principally a political arrangement aimed at advancing the objectives contained in the Oro Bill of Rights.

6. MMI condemns the circulation of unofficial maps purporting to annex portions of the Ibibio coastline to the Oron Federal Constituency.

The organisation reaffirms that the Akwa Ibom State Map Establishment Law, 2023, remains the extant legal instrument defining the territorial boundaries of Akwa Ibom State and its Local Government Areas. The law neither excises any Ibibio territory nor transfers any Ibibio coastal land to the Oron Federal Constituency.

MMI maintains that any grievances regarding the official map should be pursued before courts of competent jurisdiction rather than through propaganda or historical revisionism.

7. MMI acknowledges that agitation for state creation is a legitimate constitutional right within a democratic society. However, the organisation insists that any future state must be created strictly from lawfully constituted territory.

Drawing from historical precedent, MMI notes that neither the creation of the South-Eastern State in 1967 nor the creation of Akwa Ibom State in 1987 involved the annexation of another ethnic group’s territory.

Accordingly, MMI declares that no portion of Ibibio ancestral land shall be ceded, annexed, or alienated under the guise of state creation, and that this position shall continue to be defended through lawful constitutional means.

8. MMI welcomes calls for judicial determination of contentious issues and fully supports the resolution of disputes through the courts rather than through media campaigns.

The organisation believes that questions relating to the legal definition of littoral communities, offshore oil production, territorial boundaries, host community status, and jurisdiction over the Ibom Deep Seaport are matters appropriately reserved for judicial determination.

9. MMI recognises the Ibom Deep Seaport as a strategic economic project of immense importance to Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria.

The organisation maintains that issues relating to its location, host communities, territorial jurisdiction, and benefit-sharing must be resolved strictly through law, technical evidence, environmental impact assessment, and due process rather than competing ethnic narratives.

10. MMI reiterates its commitment to peace, dialogue, constitutionalism, and responsible public discourse.

While condemning inflammatory language and the politicisation of women or any other group in ethnic disputes, the organisation maintains that leadership demands accountability. Those who advocate restraint must themselves demonstrate restraint in both words and conduct.

Accordingly, MMI calls on:

a. All ethnic organisations, leaders, and stakeholders to pursue disagreements through constitutional and judicial processes rather than inflammatory public campaigns.

b. The Government of Akwa Ibom State, under the leadership of His Excellency, Akparawa (Pastor) Umo Eno, Ph.D., to continue upholding the rule of law and ensuring that no individual or group undermines peace through propaganda or deliberate distortion of history.

c. Ibibio youths to remain peaceful, law-abiding, intellectually engaged, and steadfast in defending the heritage and legitimate interests of the Ibibio people through lawful and constitutional means.

CONCLUSION

Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio reaffirms its unwavering commitment to peaceful coexistence, justice, constitutionalism, and the preservation of the historical identity and territorial integrity of the Ibibio ethnic nationality.

As Nelson Mandela aptly observed, “No one is born hating another person.” Hatred is learned, and it can only be overcome through truth, justice, and mutual respect.

Accordingly, MMI calls on all stakeholders to allow historians to examine history, lawyers to interpret the law, the courts to determine legal disputes, and every ethnic nationality in Akwa Ibom State to embrace peace founded on truth, justice, and the rule of law.

Issued this 1st day of August, 2026.

For: Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio (MMI)

Signed:

Akparawa (Elder) Ini-Abasi Ekanem
12th International President

Akparawa John Offiong
International Secretary-General