The Chairman of Ibiono Ibom Local Government Council, Hon. Asuakak Umoh, has come under intense criticism for allegedly undermining an existing agreement on the management of Ikot Ambang Market among host communities to ensure fairness and peace.
This is coming from one of the lineages in the area, Nung Odiong, which claims that the council chairman is “adding fuel to an already volatile situation” by breaching the spirit and letter of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) entered into between Ibiono Ibom Local Government Council and the three Ikot Ambang lineages on the management of the market.
This happened after a long-running dispute over village headship appears to have spilled into the administration of Ikot Ambang Market, one of the major markets in Uyo metropolis of Akwa Ibom State.
The situation has reportedly heightened tensions among residents and traders, with two lineages locked in a squabble over representation on the market’s management committee.
The MoU, which took effect on 1 January 2024, was designed to provide a clear rotational framework for representation.
At a meeting of concerned indigenes held Wednesday, 31 December, 2025, participants resolved that Hon. Umoh should, “scuttle forthwith the ill-advised intention to re-appoint a member of the Obio Nkan family to represent the village on the management committee of Ikot Ambang Market for a second year.”
They further demanded that a letter of appointment be issued “without further delay” to the nominee of the Nung Odiong family in the interest of peace, fairness, justice, and inclusion.
Eminent indigenes present at the meeting included Deacon Mike Ukpong, Surveyor C. S. Akpan, Sir Anthony Idobo, Eteyen Offong, and Mr. Mbosowo Ukpong, among others.
The gathering reportedly expressed deep concern that the ongoing disagreement could escalate if not promptly addressed.
The MoU made available to journalists clearly outlines a yearly rotational arrangement among the three lineages.
It states that representation on the market management committee should rotate “starting with Nung Owoh from January 1 to December 31, 2024; followed by Nung Obio Nkan from January 1 to December 31, 2025; while Nung Odiong should have its turn from January 1 to December 31, 2026.”
In addition, the agreement stipulates that “the 2024 agreement shall be in force for three years before any possible review or renegotiation at the behest of either Ibiono Ibom Local Government or Party ‘B’, the three lineages of Ikot Ambang.”
Based on this provision, the concerned indigenes argued that any attempt to alter the arrangement before the expiration of the agreement amounts to a clear violation.
They insisted that the tenure of the representative of Nung Obio Nkan on the Ikot Ambang Market committee ended on 31 December 2025, warning that “any action not in sync with the dictates of the MoU is an invitation to litigation, disorder, and under-development of the market and Ikot Ambang village at large.”
While faulting the council chairman’s alleged actions, the group reaffirmed its commitment to peaceful coexistence and pledged continued support for what they described as the “development strides and inclusive governance” of Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno.
The indigenes also called on well-meaning stakeholders, including prominent sons and daughters of Ibiono Ibom, the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, the Paramount Ruler of Ibiono Ibom, the Commissioner of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, and the Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Police Command, to intervene and “call Mr. Asuakak Umoh to order in everybody’s interest,” in order to prevent a breakdown of law and order in the community.
