The Akwa Ibom State Government has dismissed the latest discussions regarding the disputed 76 oil wells, firmly reiterating that the matter was settled definitively by the Supreme Court over a decade ago.
During an appearance on ARISE TV on Sunday morning, the State Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Umanah, urged members of the public to ignore circulating rumours and claims about the ownership dispute, stressing that the Supreme Court’s July 2012 decision remains conclusive and irrevocable.
“This issue has been completely resolved,” Umanah stated. “The Supreme Court, in July 2012, delivered its judgement and brought this conversation to a close. That is the highest court in the country. Once the Supreme Court pronounces, the matter is final. Akwa Ibom State was not even a litigant in this case. The matter is sealed.”
The Commissioner took the opportunity to highlight ongoing achievements under Governor Umo Eno’s administration, noting that tangible progress is visible under the ARISE Agenda across all sectors of the state. He drew attention to improvements in education, agriculture, rural development, youth empowerment, security, support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and the expansion of road infrastructure.
“The ARISE Agenda is more than just a policy document; it is an everyday reality for the people of Akwa Ibom, with its impact evident in every corner of the state,” Umanah remarked.
Addressing the recent visit by Governor Umo Eno, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and two other Senators from the state to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Umanah described it as a strategic initiative to strengthen relations with the Federal Government and fast-track the state’s development.
He added that key discussions centred on securing federal backing for critical infrastructure projects in Akwa Ibom, notably the Ibom Deep Seaport and other major priorities essential for the state’s future advancement.
