By Assam Abia.
The President-General of the Ekid People’s Union (EPU), Mkpisong (Dr) Samuel Udonsak, on Friday renewed his appeal to Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, to facilitate the release of Princess God’sOwn Udoito, an Ibibio woman of Ekid extraction who has remained in custody since January 2026 over alleged defamation offences.
Udonsak made the appeal while delivering a goodwill message at the inauguration of the 12th International President of Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio, Akparawa (Elder) Iniabasi Ekanem, and members of the new Executive Council in Uyo.
The EPU President-General urged the governor to temper justice with mercy by facilitating Udoito’s release, noting that she had personally apologized to the governor. He described her continued detention as deserving compassionate consideration, adding that prominent individuals and groups within and outside Ekid had also appealed for her release.
“We renew our call on His Excellency, Governor Umo Eno, to let go of the past and facilitate the release of the lady on compassionate grounds, so that she can bury her father and take care of her children,” Udonsak appealed.
Reflecting on the history of the Ibibio people, Udonsak said the ethnic nationality was once regarded as the fourth largest in Nigeria. He commended the resilience, courage and determination of the Ibibio people in the face of numerous challenges.
He also paid glowing tribute to the Grand Patron of Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio, Oku Ibom Ibibio and President-General of the Akwa Ibom State Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers, His Eminence Ntenyin (Dr) Solomon D. Etuk, JP, CFR, for what he described as his exemplary leadership in preserving the cultural heritage and traditional institutions of the Ibibio nation.
Udonsak prayed for God to grant the revered monarch long life, sound health and wisdom to continue providing leadership for the traditional affairs of the Ibibio people.
Speaking on issues of territorial integrity, the EPU leader called on the Ibibio people to resist what he described as attempts by the Oro nation to excise the southern part of Ibibio land, inhabited by the Ekid people, in pursuit of the proposed Obolo State.
He warned that the loss of the oil-bearing southern Ibibio territory, if it occurred, would have serious economic consequences for both the Ibibio and Annang ethnic nationalities.
“If such a thing is allowed to happen, the Ibibio and Annang people will become a non-oil-producing state. The people of Southern Ibibio, the Ekid Nation, will never allow that to happen,” he said.
Udonsak also expressed concern over renewed agitation regarding the proposed location of the Ibom Deep Seaport, alleging that the campaign was aimed at portraying the Oro nation as a littoral state.
“I can say that no map, from the beginning of time, and I repeat, no map, has made the Oro nation a littoral state. The attempt by Oro to grab the Ibom Deep Seaport is to establish themselves as a littoral state. It is not, it will not, and it will not be in our generation,” he declared.
He further maintained that the coastal stretch from the mouth of the Qua Iboe River to Okposo I and II belonged to the Ibibio people of Ekid extraction.
“From the mouth of the Qua Iboe River to Okposo I and II belongs to the Ibibio, the Southern Ibibio of Ekid. We will own it, we will keep it, and we will stop anybody from saying it is not ours,” he stated.
Commenting on claims relating to Okposo, Udonsak alleged that Tulcan Company currently identifies the area as being within Mbo Local Government Area, a position he rejected.
“Today, Tulcan says Okposo is in Mbo Local Government Area. It is not. We are only being responsible and peace-loving to allow that. We have gone to court. If the court says we are not right, we will do the rest,” he said, drawing applause from the audience.
He concluded his address on an optimistic note, declaring that the Ibibio nation was witnessing a new era of unity and resurgence.
“The Ibibios are on the rise again. Wherever you are, whoever you are, know that the Ibibios are on the rise again. Thank you for your time,” Udonsak declared to a standing ovation.
