Angry youths of Mbo and Eastern Obolo local government areas of Akwa Ibom on Thursday protested against the alleged plan by the State Government to cede their ancestral lands.

The youths under the aegis of Protesting of Forum of Youth Presidents, Mbo Local Government Area and Obolo Youth Coalition shut down the activities of Universal Energy Resources in Unyenge, Mbo.

They were reacting to the ongoing move by the government to remap the State, which has led to serious oppositions and tension in affected communities.

The President of the Forum, Comrade Edward Moses, said it was illegal for Governor Udom Emmanuel to restructure the State in the name of remapping just to give Onna, his Local government area access to the Atlantic Ocean.

Moses said the Governor, through Akwa Ibom Assembly also ceded coastal parts of Eastern Obolo, Ibeno and Mbo Local Government Areas to Ikot Abasi, Mkpat Enin, Eket and Esit Eket Local Government Areas which are land locked.

Speaking further, the youth leader said Akwa Ibom State was created in 1987 with well defined boundaries and has been governed by at least six military Administrators and four civilian Governors.

“Until the twilight of the Udom Emmanuel administration, no past Governor of Akwa Ibom State has been wilfully confused about the boundaries of this State. Every indigene of this State knows his Local Government Area of origin. It is only the Governor who doesn’t know those boundaries. This self serving law meant to further his expansionist agenda cannot stand. It is impunity taken too far,” he alleged.

President of Unyenge Youth Association, Comrade Austin Nkwobia said it was wishful thinking for the Governor to dream of using an illegal legislation to annex part of his community, vowing to resist such an attempt with every means possible.

The umbrella organization for Oro youth, Essu Nlap Oro has warned the State Government against enforcing the remapping law which they alleged was passed and signed into law without due process.

The President of the Association, Dr Kiso Oboho issued the warning while addressing a press conference, Wednesday in Oron.

He urged the incoming Governor, Pastor Umo Eno to dissociate his administration from all anti people and oppressive policies of the Udom Emmanuel administration, including the remapping law. (The Nation)

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