A former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Sen John Akpanudoedehe, has warned Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, over the controversy surrounding the state’s 76 oil wells, saying history will judge any leader who fails to protect the resource.
In a widely circulated broadcast, Akpanudoedehe accused the governor of not showing enough political will in handling the matter, describing the situation as a major test of leadership.
The former Senator and gubernatorial candidate said past leaders of the state, including Victor Attah and Godswill Akpabio, stood firm in defending the state’s oil assets and urged Eno not to allow the wells slip away.
“If you allow these 76 oil wells to be taken away from us, the sweat, the energy, and the sacrifices of those who fought, both living and dead would have been in vain, and I want to tell you clearly, you will not be forgiven. You will be seen as a weak and unprepared governor if this happens,” he warned.
Akpanudoedehe also questioned the governor’s move to the All Progressives Congress, noting that it was justified as a strategy to protect Akwa Ibom’s interests at the centre.
In his words “With so much resources at your disposal and the political reach you are expected to have, leadership is not about wearing caps or slogans; it is about influence and respect, because if you were truly taken seriously, they would not have reached such a conclusion against Akwa Ibom.”
According to him, the reported position of a federal inter-agency committee on the oil wells suggests a lack of strong resistance from the state government.
He, however, maintained that the committee’s report is only a draft and can still be challenged if the state presents a strong case.
“Do everything within your powers, deploy your resources and political reach, and act decisively now to stop what is about to happen, because decisions like this can still be reviewed if a strong and convincing case is presented,” he advised.
Akpanudoedehe, however, insisted that beyond legal arguments, the issue requires strong political engagement, warning that failure to act decisively could have lasting consequences for the state.
He added that his intervention was driven by concern for Akwa Ibom’s future, stressing that the sacrifices of past leaders must not be in vain.
Meanwhile, the Akwa Ibom State Attorney General has clarified that no committee has the power to overturn a Supreme Court judgment, insisting that the state’s ownership of the wells remains legally protected.
Governor Eno had earlier assured Akwa Ibom people that there was no cause for alarm, expressing confidence in the administration of Bola Tinubu to uphold the rule of law.
The development follows renewed concerns over the ownership of the oil wells after the International Court of Justice ruling on Bakassi, which reshaped the coastal boundaries affecting resource control in the region.
