Oil wells belong to Akwa Ibom, says Gov. Eno, dismisses propaganda

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has reiterated that Akwa Ibom’s rights to the disputed oil wells remain legally incontestable, citing two Supreme Court judgments that affirm the state’s ownership.

The clarification comes amid ongoing claims by Cross River State, which contends that new geological mapping places 67 of the wells within its territory.

Speaking with journalists at Victor Attah International Airport on Sunday, Governor Eno dismissed what he described as propaganda, stressing that the matter is governed by law and not by sentiment. He emphasised that Akwa Ibom’s maritime boundaries are with Cameroon, not Cross River, and that the Supreme Court has twice affirmed the state’s ownership of the 76 wells previously in dispute.

“The people on the other side may cook up any story they want; raise propaganda, but this propaganda has no effect in the face of the two Supreme Court decisions establishing our ownership of the oil wells. This is not about sentiments,” Eno said. He urged citizens to remain calm, reaffirming confidence in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s respect for the rule of law.

Governor Eno also questioned the timing of Cross River’s claims, pointing out that if the matter were about sentiment, the state could equally contest the allocation of Ibibio-speaking villages in Itu Local Government Area to Cross River. He insisted that the facts surrounding the oil wells are clear and legally binding.

The Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has also dismissed reports suggesting that the oil wells had been ceded to Cross River State, describing such claims as false and misleading. Governor Eno echoed this position, asserting that “facts are sacrosanct, and you cannot push them under the carpet with sentiments.”

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has reiterated that Akwa Ibom’s rights to the disputed oil wells remain legally incontestable, citing two Supreme Court judgments that affirm the state’s ownership. The clarification comes amid ongoing claims by Cross River State, which contends that new geological mapping places 67 of the wells within its territory.

Speaking with journalists at Victor Attah International Airport on Sunday, Governor Eno dismissed what he described as propaganda, stressing that the matter is governed by law and not by sentiment. He emphasised that Akwa Ibom’s maritime boundaries are with Cameroon, not Cross River, and that the Supreme Court has twice affirmed the state’s ownership of the 76 wells previously in dispute.

“The people on the other side may cook up any story they want; raise propaganda, but this propaganda has no effect in the face of the two Supreme Court decisions establishing our ownership of the oil wells. This is not about sentiments,” Eno said. He urged citizens to remain calm, reaffirming confidence in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s respect for the rule of law.

Governor Eno also questioned the timing of Cross River’s claims, pointing out that if the matter were about sentiment, the state could equally contest the allocation of Ibibio-speaking villages in Itu Local Government Area to Cross River. He insisted that the facts surrounding the oil wells are clear and legally binding.

The Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has also dismissed reports suggesting that the oil wells had been ceded to Cross River State, describing such claims as false and misleading. Governor Eno echoed this position, asserting that “facts are sacrosanct, and you cannot push them under the carpet with sentiments.”

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