Group Urges Akwa Ibom to Establish People’s Assembly, Council of State

An advocacy group, Open Forum, has called on Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno and the State House of Assembly to institutionalise the Ibom People’s Assembly and an Akwa Ibom Council of State.

The group’s Convener, Citizen Mathew Okono, made the proposal in a statement issued in Uyo on Sunday, saying the platforms could provide broader consultation on governance and development across the state.

Okono proposed that the council could include the serving governor, former governors and former military administrators of Akwa Ibom origin, as well as former chief judges and Speakers of the State House of Assembly.

He added that the serving deputy governor, Speaker of the House of Assembly and Chief Judge could participate as ex-officio members, while leaving the governor with the discretion to determine the final composition of the council.

According to Okono, the proposed council would draw on the experience of former state leaders to provide non-partisan advice on issues including governance, peace, security and development.

He also proposed the Ibom People’s Assembly as an apex socio-cultural and development platform that would bring together Akwa Ibom people in the state and those living in the diaspora.

Okono said the assembly could promote shared values and identity while providing a unified platform for discussing issues affecting Akwa Ibom at the local, national and international levels.

He argued that existing socio-cultural organisations should retain their identities and continue their community development activities, but said a broader platform could help harmonise different sections of the state.

Okono urged the state government to consider adopting the proposals as part of activities marking the 39th anniversary of the creation of Akwa Ibom State on September 23, 2026.