The Oron Youth Movement, a group in Akwa Ibom State, has voiced its disapproval of the alleged disparity in commissioner and special adviser nominations, which impacts the state’s Oron ethnic identity.
The organisation wrote a letter of protest to Umo Eno, the state governor, asking him to review the list and provide Oron with a fair representation that reflects its standing as the state’s third biggest ethnic community.
The group’s National President, Edet Eyo, National Secretary, Edet Iyahakwa, National Director of Media and Publicity, Victor Obiosio, and National Director of Women Affairs, Sylvia Ekpot, all signed the letter that was made available to the Intercept in Uyo, the state capital, on Saturday.
Oyokunyi Umoh, the National Director of Security and Special Duties, and Emmanuel Essang, the National Director of Organisation & Mobilisation, are among the other signatories to the letter.
The state governor had recently sent a list of 27 commissioners and special adviser nominees to the state House of Assembly, urging the lawmakers to give the list a prompt response.
However, the group said a critical evaluation of the list revealed a glaring imbalance with the Ibibios having 17 nominees, Annang seven, while the Oron ethnic group got two nominees with Eastern Obolo/Ibeno getting one nominee.
The group expressed disappointment that such inequitable distribution is a reflection of the systemic marginalisation being suffered by the Oron people in the state.
The letter dated February 12, 2025, partly read, “We, the Oron Youth Movement, write to express our utmost disappointment and disillusionment with your recent nomination of 27 commissioners and special advisers in Akwa Ibom State.
“The glaring imbalance in the representation of our people is a stark reminder of the gross injustice and marginalisation we have faced for far too long in the state we are part of.
“We, the people of Oron Nation, believe in your administration, and we see you as a leader who is guided by the Holy Spirit and committed to equity, inclusiveness, and fairness.
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“However, we’re compelled to address the alarming statistics from your recent nomination of 27 commissioners and special advisers, which raises concerns about representation and fairness. Upon analysing the distribution of nominees based on ethnic nationalities, we observed a glaring imbalance: Ibibios (17 persons), Annang (seven persons), Oro (two persons), and Eastern Obolo/Ibeno (one person).
“This disparity is further exacerbated when viewed through the lens of federal constituencies and the thirty-one (31) Local Government Areas in Akwa Ibom State.”
Noting that the nomination followed a local government-based process, the group emphasised that allocating only two nominees to Oron ethnic nationality with five LG councils is a way of undermining the interest of the people
“We strongly urge you to reassess the present list of the nominations for commissioners and special advisers and ensure Oron Ethnic Nationality receives fair representation in Akwa Ibom State’s governance, reflective of our significant contributions to the State’s growth and development.
“We look forward to a more equitable distribution of seats, acknowledging our rightful place in the State’s administration,” the group added.
