The umbrella union for the Ibibio-speaking people of Akwa Ibom State, Akwa Esop Imaisong Ibibio, has come out in support of the Ekid Peoples Union President, Dr. Samuel Udonsak, amidst controversy over the creation of Oro-Obolo State.

Dr. Udonsak was invited to speak at the inauguration of the 12th International President and Executive Council of Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio International in Uyo on July 24, 2026. In his speech, he exposed the steps being taken by the Oro people to undermine the Ibibio in their bid to create Oro-Obolo State. He argued that the creation of the state would lead to the annexation of parts of Southern Ibibio ancestral lands into Oro Nation, giving them access to the seashore in aboriginal Ibibio territory.

The Oro Union slammed Dr. Udonsak for his speech, calling him names and labeling his statements as 'unpatriotic'. However, Akwa Esop Imaisong Ibibio has thrown its weight behind Dr. Udonsak, stating that what he said is nothing but the truth backed by facts and figures dating many decades.

According to Akwa Esop Imaisong Ibibio, the core essence of the scheme is for Oro Nation to gain land contiguity to the Obolos in Eastern Obolo LGA for the purpose of creating their proposed Oro-Obolo State on parts of Ibibio soil and land. Dr. Udonsak also argued that the creation of Oro-Obolo State would cripple the economy of the rest of Akwa Ibom State and its people (the Ibibio and the Annang), by cutting them off from the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Guinea.

The umbrella Ibibion union stated that they recognize and respect the rights of all Oro people, Obolo people, and Ibeno people of Akwa Ibom State to seek a geographical entity (State) of their own. However, they firmly hold the position that 'no village, no section, no part, no inch of any of the Ibibio LGAs in Akwa Ibom State shall be made part of the proposed Oro-Obolo State, or any other State'.

Dr. Udonsak, the Leader of Ekid People’s Union, has been at the forefront of exposing the Oro Nation's plans to create Oro-Obolo State, emphasizing that it would be a game plan to annex parts of Southern Ibibio ancestral lands into Oro Nation. He has also argued that no official map in history, or any judgement/pronouncement of court in any of the various historical decided cases on the matter, has ever shown Oro Nation as a littoral region.

Akwa Esop Imaisong Ibibio has warned that the personal attacks on Dr. Udonsak are unwarranted and should stop forthwith.