…lists resolutions, demands
Read below the full statement:
PRESS STATEMENT
ISSUED BY THE EFUYA ROYAL HOUSE(FAMILY), OKOROETE TOWN, EASTERN OBOLO LGA, AKWA IBOM STATE
DATE: AUGUST 7, 2026.
RE: PROPOSED RELOCATION OF IKONTA/OBIANGA COMMUNITIES AND THE UNAUTHORISED ENCROACHMENT ON AKASUK/OKUBU ANCESTRAL LANDS BELONGING TO THE EFUYA ROYAL HOUSE(FAMILY).
PREAMBLE
The Efuya Royal House(Family) of Okoroete, Eastern Obolo Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, views with grave concern recent public discussions, statements and official pronouncements regarding the proposed relocation of the Ikonta and Obianga communities. This relocation stems from the ongoing operations of Sterling Petrochemicals and Fertilizer Limited (SPFL).
We acknowledge the Press Statement issued by the Eastern Obolo Local Government Council on July 23, 2026, signed by the Council Secretary, Hon. Tamuno Okworo Timothy. The Council confirmed that an inspection and assessment exercise was conducted on a proposed relocation site stretching across several communities, namely: “Amadaka/Elile & Okoroete – Otu-utam, Otu-utiak, Akasuk to Okubu.”
Given the explicit mention of Akasuk and Okubu, the Efuya Royal House(Family) issues this statement to correct the record, misinformation and protect our heritage, as well as assert our definitive position.
HISTORICAL FACTS OF LAND OWNERSHIP
Historical Title:
Akasuk and Okubu settlements were ancient settlements founded and settled by the forebears of the Efuya Royal House, led by Ete-Ugaene Ikorwaogwuile-Efuya and his brothers. Our ancestors inhabited these lands for decades, between 1665-1715, before establishing present-day Okoroete in 1715. These lands have remained in the exclusive custody/possession of the descendants of Ete-Ugaene Ikorwaogwuile Efuya and his brothers to this day, preserved as an unbroken generation-to-generation inheritance.
Constitutional Protection:
We align with the Land Use Act of 1978 which fully recognizes the Inheritance Tenure System. In Okoroete, this system remains the predominant, legally binding mode of land ownership. But unlike communal tenure practiced elsewhere, these lands are held directly by families and as ancestral inheritances.
OUR POSITION ON THE PROPOSED RELOCATION OF IKONTA/OBIANGA
As an ancient and prominent Royal House(Family) in Eastern Obolo, we owe a duty of truth to our people.
The Efuya Royal House(Family) flatly rejects any deceptive agenda designed to take our lands without proper and due process being followed. Industrialization and development must serve as a blessing to host communities, not an existential curse. Land is a scarce commodity and must not be dealt with without consideration. We stand in absolute solidarity with the people of Ikonta and Obianga.
OUR RESOLUTIONS AND DEMANDS
1. Immediate cessation of activities: We demand an immediate halt to all site visits/inspections, boundary assessments, and preliminary activities on Akasuk and Okubu lands. No such actions will be tolerated without the express consent and direct participation of the Efuya Royal House(Family) of Okoroete.
2. Assertion of territorial sovereignty: The Efuya Royal House(Family) will not allow any individual, corporate entity, government agency, to enter, encroach upon, annex, or seize our ancestral lands without due process and direct, transparent engagement/negotiation with our leadership.
3. Demand for inclusive consultation: We call for an immediate, transparent, and broad-based consultation of all concerned landowners of Amadaka, Elile and Efuya Royal House (Family) of Okoroete in the proposed relocation as exclusively comprised.
4. Absolute disclaimer of representation: The Efuya Royal House(Family) has not delegated, assigned, appointed or authorized any individual, proxy, or group to represent our interests or negotiate on matters concerning Akasuk and Okubu lands. Any person purporting, agreement, concession, or treaty entered into without our explicit written mandate is null, void, and of no legal consequence. We will vigorously resist such unauthorized actions within lawful means.
5. We condemn in the strongest possible terms the malicious misinformation, disrespectful intent and bad-faith statement published by the Elile Village Council on 27th July, 2026 alluding to lack of knowledge of/questioning our historical ownership of Akasuk and Okubu lands. We remind that entity that a stranger, no matter how cannot/ never knows a house better than its owner and that the natives of Elile who are in the Village Council should have asked their elders questions if they do not know. We restate that Elile has no amount of propaganda, traditional or political, to dislodge Efuya Royal House (Family) of their Akasuk and Okubu lands. We warn, enough is enough.
CONCLUSION
The Efuya Royal House(Family) remains unwaveringly committed to peace, development and the rule of law. However, we will never compromise our ancestral heritage/inheritance – our birthright. We suggest and enjoin all parties involved herein, to respect and follow due process.
Signed:
Chief A. R. Ojoko-Ijente Efuya
(Paramount Chief, Efuya Royal House (Family)
Mr. Simolings M. Otuikor
(Chairman,Royal House (Family)).
For and on behalf of the Efuya Royal House(Family)
Okoroete Town, Eastern Obolo LGA, Akwa Ibom State.
