A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, the PDP Advocates for Peace and Justice (PAPA-J), has called for the immediate and unconditional release of Akwa Ibom-based social media activist, God’sown Udoito.
The group made the demand in a statement issued on Sunday in Uyo and signed by its chairman, Dr Tom FredFish, and secretary, Mr Savour Uko.
Udoito, an Ekid rights advocate, was arrested and arraigned by the Akwa Ibom State Police Command over allegations of criminal defamation, threats, publication of false information, and conduct likely to breach public peace. Her activism centres on the rights of the Ekid people over ancestral lands in the Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve.
PAPA-J described her arrest as an attempt to suppress legitimate civic engagement, expressing concern over what it called the growing criminalisation of free expression and community advocacy in the state.
The group said Udoito’s views were part of lawful public discourse and did not incite violence or disorder, stressing that her advocacy sought to draw attention to alleged land-related policies implemented without adequate consultation or compensation of affected communities.
According to the statement, targeting citizens for speaking on issues related to their ancestral heritage contradicts democratic principles and the constitutional guarantee of freedom of expression.
PAPA-J further criticised alleged moves by some government officials to favour confrontation over dialogue, warning that such actions could erode public trust, weaken democratic culture, and escalate tensions.
The group urged the Akwa Ibom State Government and relevant authorities to focus on addressing challenges such as unemployment and poverty rather than intimidating citizens for expressing dissenting opinions.
Meanwhile, stakeholders from Ibeno Local Government Area have rejected claims by the Ekid People’s Union regarding ownership of the oil-rich Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve, describing them as misleading.
Speaking in Uyo, the spokesman of the Ibeno Council, Chief Udofia Udofia, said the Ekid submission before the State Land Use Allocation Committee was based on what he termed historical revisionism and misinterpretation of the law.
Udofia maintained that the Ekid People’s Union lacked constitutional or statutory authority to claim ownership or control of the land, adding that powers of attorney issued by private individuals or traditional institutions could not override the provisions of the 1999 Constitution and the Land Use Act.
He also dismissed claims of a 1918 Privy Council judgment granting perpetual ownership of the forest reserve to the Ekid people, describing such assertions as historically inaccurate.
Reiterating that all land is vested in the governor to be held in trust for the people, Udofia said industrial projects such as refineries and petrochemical plants fell under overriding public interest.
The ownership dispute over the Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve has continued to fuel tension between the Eket and Ibeno communities, leading to loss of lives and property.
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