-Says geography, not sentiment, should guide public discourse
By Solomon OKPO
A university don, Professor Etie Ben Akpan, has thrown his weight behind the President-General of the Ekid People’s Union (EPU), Dr. Samuel Udonsak, insisting that the claim that Oro Nation is a coastal or littoral area is not supported by geographical or scientific evidence. He urged those engaged in the ongoing debate to rely on established facts rather than emotions, ethnic sentiments or political considerations.
Professor Akpan was reacting to criticisms that followed Dr. Udonsak’s remarks at the installation of the 12th International President and Executive of Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio in Uyo on July 24, 2026. During his address, Dr. Udonsak had maintained that describing Oro Nation as a coastal or littoral area was misleading, a position that has generated widespread reactions from some stakeholders in Oro Nation.
Defending the EPU President-General, Professor Akpan stated that Dr. Udonsak merely presented a geographical fact. According to him, while Oro Nation is hydrocarbon-bearing, this should not be confused with the legal and geographical definition of a coastal or littoral territory. He challenged critics of Dr. Udonsak’s position to provide verifiable geographical and scientific evidence to support their claims.
The professor also faulted claims credited to some commentators that Oron and Mbo Local Government Areas possess over 60 kilometres of Atlantic coastline.
He argued that the areas mentioned are located along the Oron River, the Cross River estuary and associated tributaries, and are therefore shoreline environments rather than territories directly bordering the Atlantic Ocean or the Gulf of Guinea. He maintained that no recognised historical or contemporary map identifies any Oro Local Government Area as occupying the Atlantic coastline.
Professor Akpan further contended that available historical records, including colonial-era maps and the current official map of Akwa Ibom State, do not classify Oro Local Government Areas as littoral.
He listed Esit Eket, Eket, Ibeno, Onna, Mkpat Enin, Eastern Obolo and Ikot Abasi as the local government areas that properly fit the description of coastal or littoral areas in the state, while describing Mbo, Udung Uko, Oron, Okobo, Uruan, Itu and Oruk Anam as shoreline local government areas.
He called on Akwa Ibom people to approach the issue with maturity and avoid personal attacks, stressing that differences of opinion should be resolved through facts and constructive engagement.
Professor Akpan added that the benefits associated with the state’s coastline belong to all constituent parts of Akwa Ibom State and should not become a source of division, noting that this, in his view, was the central message conveyed by Dr. Udonsak.
