“WHY WE (ORON) CAN’T WAIT”

Being Text of Press Statement by Oron National Forum (ONAF), Oron Women Action Group (OWAG) and Oro Youth Movement (OYOM) at a World Press Conference held on Friday, June 25, 2021 at Oron on the Gross marginalization and Great neglect of Oron Ethnic Nationality in Akwa Ibom State.

Gentlemen of the Press,

“The purpose of life is not only to be happy, it is to be useful, honourable, compassionate and to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well” Ralph Waldo Emerson

Preamble:
It is with great pleasure and thanksgiving to the Almighty God that we heartily welcome you all to the 22nd Anniversary of the historic document of Oron People – “the Oro Bill of Rights”.

Oron People made history when they became the third ethnic nationality to proclaim a BILL OF RIGHTS in the Niger Delta region after Ogoni and Ijaw people being first and second respectively.

At this juncture, we remember as ever the initiator and Author of the Bill, the leader, Oro People’s Rights Movement (OPRM), patriot, consummate personality, Marxist scholar, media guru and social crusader-COMRADE EDET UNO, and other patriots like; Comrade Hon. Effiong Ononokpono, Comrade Prince Effiong Ekerenduh, Comrade George Antai, Comrade Akon Ubo, Comrade Kaktehene Uno, Comrade (Maj.) Mary Eyo, Comrade Johnson Enyenihi, Comrade George Abia etc, who led this struggle for Oro liberation and meaningful survival in this Country. May their gentle souls rest in peace, Amen.

The Bill of Rights of Oron people organized and proclaimed on Friday, June 25, 1999 by Oron National Forum (ONAF), in collaboration with Oron Women Action Group (OWAG), Oro Youth Movement (OYOM) and other progressive movements across the Country is 22 years old today.

Oron National Forum (ONAF), a foremost civil rights organization in the Country was founded in 1995 by COMRADE EDET UNO (1936-2008), alongside late Comrade George Antai, Comrade Ita Ante and other patriotic persons, to articulate and defend the fundamental and democratic rights of Oron People, and also advance the course of democracy and good governance for the benefit of humanity.

The proclamation of Oro Bill of Rights was witnessed by our fraternal organizations like, Chikoko Movement led by Late Comrade Oronto Douglas, Ijaw National Congress led by the then National Organizing Secretary and now Governor of Bayelsa State, His Excellency, Sen. Douye Diri, Ijaw Youth Council, led by Comrade Felix Tuodolor, Odua Peoples’ Congress led by Otunba Ganiyu Adams, the Aare Ona kakanfo of Yoruba land, Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP) led by late Comrade Patrick naagbanton, Egi Youth Association led by Comrade Che. Ibeguwra, Calabar Consultative Forum led by Dr. Etete B. Duke, Gender And Development Action (GADA) led by Amb. Nkoyo Toyo among others.

By this proclamation, we have sensitized the entire world of the gross marginalization, oppression, neglect, exclusion and injustices meted out to Oron ethnic nationality by the Nigerian State and her collaborators.

We once again reiterate our stand and commitment to the principles and resolutions enunciated in the Oro Bill of Rights in our struggle for identity and meaningful survival in the comity of Nations.

In pursuance of our desired objectives, we have attended conferences, seminars and workshops within and outside the Country bordering on democracy, rights advocacy, security, peace and conflict management.

Gentlemen of the Press, May we hereby highlight our plight to the attention of the whole world through you as follows:
1. IBAKA DEEP SEAPORT:
This project was conceived twenty-one (21) years ago by Governor Victor Attah as part of the industrialization plans of the State. It was designed to be sited at Ibaka in Mbo Local Government Area with the deepest nautical depth East of the Niger.

Ibaka Bay had been recognized since the colonial era to have a natural harbour most suitable for the building of a deep seaport. All studies conducted under the supervision of the Project Delivery Team (PDT), a team of experts set up by the Federal Government in 2012 for the Deep seaport project confirmed that a site near the natural harbour at IBAKA was the most suitable location for the Deep seaport. Many years after conception, and contrary to the expectation of Oron people in particular and Akwa Ibom State in general, the State Government has surreptitiously changed the entire concept of the project to short-change the Oron people.

We have in strong authority that the State Government is planning to RE-LOCATE the Deep Seaport from IBAKA to some other part of the State using the compromised FELAX CONSULTANT’s report as the basis.

In this devious scheme, IBAKA, a natural harbour favorably recommended by core professionals will merely serve as a residential area of the so-called Ibom Industrial City.

Consequently, we hereby urge the State Government to answer the following pertinent questions:

i) Where is the actual location of the harbour of the proposed Deep Seaport?
ii) If it is not IBAKA as was originally conceived, what gives any other location the edge over IBAKA?
iii) Why are issues pertaining to the Deep Seaport project shrouded in secrecy?
iv) Why does it take Mfon Usoro’s led Technical Committee so long to begin the implementation of the project in view of its socio-economic benefits to the people?
v) What happened to the 2018 realization year?
Oron people strongly and vehemently appeal to the State Government to as a matter of urgent public importance REVERSE her decision to RE-LOCATE the deep seaport, particularly, the harbour from, IBAKA.
We therefore express our unalloyed and unflinching support and commitment to the widely and popular position of Oron people against the purported attempt to RE-LOCATE the Deep Seaport from IBAKA. We equally call on the State Government to demonstrate the political will to actualize the project in line with the original concept in the interest of peace, justice, fairness and overall economic well being of Akwa Ibom people and humanity.

2. NON-RECOGNITION OF ORON AS AN OIL PRODUCING COMMUNITY:
It would be recalled that consequent upon a motion moved by Hon. Robinson Uwak, then Member, House of Representatives drawing the attention of the Nation to the callous and unconscionable non-recognition of Oron as an oil producing community. The House of Representatives sent five (5) of its relevant Committees led by Hon. Uche Ekunife (now Senator of the Federal Republic) on a fact-finding mission. The delegation deployed boats and helicopters to access our high seas and lands to ascertain the number of oil platforms hosted by Oron and the criminal neglect and deprivation suffered by the people is to say the least, most unfortunate, unbearable and unjustified situation. In fact, the Committee Chairman described the situation as “uncommon marginalization and neglect of Oron People”.
She equally applauded Oron people for being this peaceful and rated them as the most peaceful ethnic nationality in the Nigerian State, which should not be taken for granted.
This led to the resolutions of the House of Representatives passed on May 16, 2012 that Oron ethnic nationality be recognized as an oil producing community. It was immediately followed up with a circular by the then Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Anyim Pius Anyim urging the Akwa Ibom State Government to give effect to the Resolution. Up till date, the State Government has not implemented the resolution, thereby deny Oro of huge benefit accrued from the oil exploration and exploitation carried out by oil companies operating in our territorial waters and lands. It is on record that Oron accounts for over 80% of the derivable revenue of Akwa Ibom State with over ten (10) oil producing companies, namely: Exxon-Mobil (OML 67, OML68 &OML70), Addax Petroleum ltd (OML 123), Moni-Pulo Ltd (OML115),Oriental Energy Ltd (OML117), Total E&P Ltd, Universal Energy Resources Ltd, Septa Energy Resources Ltd, Amni International (OML114), Noble drilling Company, Trans-ocean Drilling Company and Amalgamated Associated oil Company, New Cross Petroleum Ltd (OML14) with the following oil fields:- Akam, Oron North, Oron East, Bogi Ukpam, Inagha, Adanpa, Adanpa South, Adanga South West Adanga North, Ebughu south, Ebughu East, Ebughu North East, Minbo and Kita marine. These oil fields are offshore and 200 metres Isobath and all form part of production attributed to Akwa Ibom State every month to generate indices for the disbursement of 13% derivation revenue according to Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission and Department of Petroleum Resources. We hereby call on the State Government to implement the House of Representatives resolution and duly recognize Oron as an oil producing community.

3. CRIMINAL MARGINALIZATION OF ORON AT A GLANCE, 2015 TILL DATE
1. Governor - Ibibio
2. Deputy Governor - Annang
3. Speaker - Ibibio
4. Chief Judge - Ibibio
5. Ambassador - Annang
6. Minister - Annang
7. SSA to Mr. President - Ibibio
8. State Chairman of APC - Annang
9. Deputy Chairman of APC - Ibibio
10. State Secretary APC - Ibibio
11. State Chairman PDP - Annang
12. Deputy State Chairman - Ibibio
13. Secretary PDP - Ibibio
14. VC Uniuyo - Ibibio
15. VC AKSU - Ibibio
16. Rector of Akwa Poly - Ibibio
17. School of Health Tech. - Ibibio
18. Rector College of Science & Tech. Ibibio
19. Head of Civil Service - Ibibio
20. Secretary to the State Govt. - Oron

CONSTITUTION OF BOARD/COMMISSION CHAIRMEN
1. AKIPOC
2. State Universal Basic Education Board
3. State Secondary Education Board
4. Akwa Ibom State Local Government Service Commission
5. Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Service Commission
6. State Internal Revenue Service
7. Akwa Ibom Civil Service Commission
8. State Technical Schools Board
9. Akwa Ibom State Environmental/Protection Waste Management Board
10. Ibom Airport Company Limited
11. Akwa Ibom State Independent Electoral Commission
Note: No Oro person is Chairman of any Board or Commission
The recent creation of 39 Wards in Akwa Ibom by AKISIEC was even abysmal. Oro Five (5) Local Government Areas was allotted Three (3) Wards whilst Awa as a community in ONNA LGA had 5 (Five) Wards. How do you explain this? Should Oro people beacon on the marines for help?
We urge our Governor to give us good governance, which connotes equity, justice, fairness, good conscience and inclusiveness for the benefit of our people and humanity.
We stridently call on the Governor to immediately address this clear unjust and lopsided appointments against Oron people in the interest of all of us.

4. 2023 GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION:
We hereby reiterate in unequivocal terms the long standing demand/aspiration of Oron people to be given the opportunity to govern the State as a Governor since its creation in 1987. It is a fact that the tripartite nature of Akwa Ibom State was the basic foundation for its creation. The tripod on which the State is rested is Ibibio, Annang and Oron as the three distinct major ethnic nationalities with full rights and privileges in the State. It is disheartening to note that Oron, which accounts for over 80% of crude oil produced from Akwa Ibom State have been wantonly abandoned, neglected and excluded in the democratic governance of the State. This situation has become unbearable and worrisome to all well meaning people in this Country.
In recognition of the tripod stand of the State, Ibibio, Annang & Oron, to achieve cohesion, peace, justice, and peaceful co-existence, the political/traditional leaders agreed that in distributing/sharing of political positions, a ratio of 5:3:2 in favour of Ibibio, Annang & Oron, respectively be strictly applied. It was also agreed that important symbolic positions (Governor, Deputy Governor, Hon. Speaker & Ruling Party Chairman) must be shared among the three major ethnic nationalities. In all honesty, this has been in practice since the creation of the State until 2007, when the tripod principle was jettisoned by Gov. Akpabio, for senatorial district basis, deliberately to deny Oron their rights to produce a Governor in 2015.

We vehemently state here that it is incumbent upon the State to use to same tripod principle that gave Governorship to Ibibio (Obong Victor Attah – 1999-2007) and Annang (Godswill Akpabio- 2007-2015) to equally give the Governorship to Oron in 2023 in the interest of justice, equity, fairness, democracy and peaceful co-existence in the State. After all, as the goose that lays the golden eggs for the State and for the fact that what is good for the goose, is also good for the gander. We make bold to declare that Oron can no longer wait for any ethnic nationality to produce the next Governor of Akwa Ibom State in 2023. ON TRIPOD WE STAND.
It would amount to gross injustice and marginalization if Oron is not supported by our brothers (Ibibio & Annang) to produce the Governor in 2023, because they have not produced a Governor since the creation of the State in 1987.

In fact, there is a general feeling within the Oron people, especially among the young and up-coming generations that as a people, ORON is being deliberately denied/excluded from the leadership of the State in which they (Oron) have both moral and democratic rights to lead as an integral part of the State. We are further emboldened to state categorically that we remain committed and resolute to the principle of TRIPOD and agreed concept of power rotation/zoning of political positions in the State.

Based on the above scenario, the following questions beg for answers from our brothers:
� Is it a crime to be a minority ethnic group?
� Is the zoning of Governorship on senatorial district basis in the State a deliberate attempt by the majorities to subvert (exclude) the minorities from the leadership of the State?
� Are we justified to abandon the age long tripod system of zoning/sharing of political positions for senatorial district basis, having used same to give Governorship to Ibibio and Annang?
� Considering the immense economic contributions of Oron to the Country’s foreign earning and benefit accruable to the State from oil derivation, is the neglect, deprivation and marginalization a reward?
� Does it not stand incontrovertible that the third leg (Oron) of the tripod should have the Governorship slot in 2023, since the first leg (Ibibio) and the second leg (Annang) have taken their turns.
It is our hope that in answering the above questions, our big brothers shall be fair and just to the principle of tripod, equity and justice for the benefit of our people and democracy. As 2023 draw near, we urge our political leaders to convene a public discourse without further delay to discuss this crucial matter of state concern to our people and democracy. We strongly call on all Akwa Ibomites and well meaning people in this Country to give their patriotic support and sincere commitment to this just agitation/ demand of Oron people to govern Akwa Ibom State in 2023. As in the words of Martin Luther King, Jnr “the ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenges and controversy”

5. INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT:
It is no longer news that Oron is seriously marginalized in terms of road projects and the near collapse of the only federal road in Oron. It could be recalled that when the federal trunk. A road linking Uyo to Oron was closed for the development of Airport, agreement was reached with the State Government to provide an alternative road to federal standard estimated at twenty eight (28) kilometers from Uyo to Oron. Sadly, eight (8) years after the award of contract to an incompetent and unknown company, not a kilometer length of the road has been completed.
• Enwang-Etebi Road Project. This project was among the first set of roads awarded for construction by the administration of Governor Godswill Akpabio in 2008. The road was abandoned by the contractor and has remained uncompleted till date.
• East-West Road, Section V. The completion of this all important road cannot be over emphasized in view of its economic benefits and value to the economy of the Nation.
We passionately appeal to the Federal Government to expedite action and complete this critical project as a democratic dividend to the people. The construction of this road will reduce the frequent boats mishaps along Oron-Calabar waterways.

6. STATE OF THE NATION:
There is no doubt that Nigeria is currently facing critical threats to the peace, unity and corporate existence as a political entity. In fact, the Country is at precipice, perhaps a break-up due to general insecurity, banditry, killings, kidnappings, herdsmen/ farmers clashes, self-determination struggles. The situation is already over-saturated with tensions, disharmony, instability; strident voices for secession thereby demand urgent practical actions to be taken by the Federal Government to restore the Nation.

As earlier stated in Oro Bill of Rights, the way out of this unfortunate situation is the RESTRUCTURING OF NIGERIA. We equally join all well meaning people in this Country advocating for the Restructuring of this Country as a panacea to Nigeria’s instability. We therefore call on the Federal Government to heed the genuine and patriotic nationwide calls for a transparent National Dialogue with urgent steps towards restructuring and birthing of a new constitution for the Country.

We commend our leaders, particularly, Southern, Middle Belt and the Southern Governors for their patriotic support and commitment to the well being of our people and the Nation. They have offered reasonable and useful suggestions and contributions to the resolution of these precarious situation facing our Country. In solidarity and great service to humanity, we unequivocally support and adopted the ASABA DECLEARATION of May 11, 2021 by the Southern Governors of Nigeria and the well articulated positions of the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders’ Forum on the State of the Nation.

We once again call on the Federal Government to live up to its constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and properties of citizens and urgently come up with proactive measures and strategies to restore peace and security to all parts of the Country.

On 2023 Presidential Election, we note that the Northern part of the Country would have fully enjoyed the Office of the President for the full statutory period of eight (8) years by 2023, hence we urge all leading political parties especially, All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to zone the Presidency to the Southern part of Nigeria in 2023. We further state that the basis for any viable democracy, particularly, in a diverse and complex Country like Nigeria rest on fair and equitable sharing of power/political positions.
We reaffirm our loyalty and commitment to the unity of Nigeria based on the principles of equity, fairness and justice.

CONCLUSION:
It is therefore unarguable that Oro Nation is in a state of arrested development; Oron is gasping for breath and crying for justice and equity in the Nigerian Federation.
As Winton Churchill once wrote, “if you will not fight for your rights, when you can easily win without bloodshed, you will come to the moment when you will have to fight with all odds against you”.
Put it succinctly, we are more determined and committed to serve our people for, “only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile” – Albert Einstein

Let it be on record that if the Federal Government and Akwa Ibom State Government fail to look into our plight and urgently take necessary steps to correct them, Oron People will have no option than to take their destiny in their hands.

Be reminded that “He who makes peaceful change impossible make violent change inevitable”.

“A stitch in time saves nine”.

Once again! Happy Anniversary to Oron People on this great accomplishments!

Oro shall rise Again!

ONAF! OWAG! OYOM!... Kwak! Kwak! Kwak!

Thank you all and God bless Oro.

For and on behalf of Oro Peoples’ Rights Movement (OPRM).

Comrade Ita Ante
National President,
Oron National Forum(ONAF)

Comrade Nemine Mba Oron Women Action Group (OWAG)

Comrade Edet Eyo
President
Oro Youth Movement (OYOM)