MMI Raises Concern Over Alleged Lopsided Distribution of Oil and Gas Employment Opportunities in Akwa Ibom
UYO, September 9, 2026 — The Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio (MMI) has raised concerns over the alleged disproportionate distribution of employment opportunities in key federal oil and gas agencies to indigenes of Akwa Ibom State, calling for greater transparency, fairness and inclusiveness in the allocation of government interventions.
In a press statement signed by its International Public Relations Officer, Akparawa (Pst) Idongesit Ikono, anipr, the organisation said it had noted with “grave concern” a publication allegedly credited to the Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil and Gas), Obongemem Ekperikpe Ekpo, listing Akwa Ibom indigenes purportedly facilitated by the Minister for employment into key agencies within the oil and gas sector under his supervision.
According to the MMI, the purported publication indicated that 30 of the 34 employment opportunities said to have benefited Akwa Ibom indigenes went to individuals from the Minister’s senatorial district, while the other two senatorial districts reportedly received two opportunities each.
The organisation acknowledged the importance of employment opportunities created for Akwa Ibom people but expressed concern over what it described as the apparent lopsided distribution of the opportunities, particularly if the reported figures accurately reflect the final beneficiary list.
MMI stressed that the Minister’s position in the Federal Executive Council is a federal ministerial appointment representing Akwa Ibom State and should therefore not be construed as a position exclusively representing Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District, also known as Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District.
It argued that federal interventions, employment opportunities and other benefits facilitated through the office should, as much as possible, reflect the principles of fairness, inclusiveness and broad representation across the three senatorial districts and communities of the state.
The organisation warned that, if established to be accurate, the alleged pattern could set an unhealthy precedent for public administration and equitable representation. It maintained that public office holders entrusted with responsibilities affecting an entire state should avoid any perception of concentrating opportunities intended for the generality of the people within their immediate political constituencies or communities.
According to MMI, allowing such a pattern to persist could create a situation in which political office holders appropriate public opportunities predominantly for their respective localities, thereby weakening the principles of inclusiveness and equitable distribution of government benefits.
Against this backdrop, the organisation called on the Minister to clarify the circumstances surrounding the published list and disclose the criteria and process used in selecting the beneficiaries, particularly in view of the reported concentration of beneficiaries from his senatorial district.
MMI also appealed to the Minister and other political office holders from Akwa Ibom State to rise above narrow political, senatorial, local government and community considerations and place the collective interest of the people above sectional interests.
The organisation emphasised that public office is a trust, insisting that every Akwa Ibom indigene, irrespective of senatorial district, local government area, political affiliation or community, deserves a fair opportunity to benefit from government programmes and interventions.
It consequently condemned any proven act of discrimination or preferential allocation of public opportunities and urged citizens to speak against practices that could undermine fairness, unity and equal opportunity in the state.
“Akwa Ibom belongs to all of us. Public opportunities must therefore be administered with fairness, transparency and inclusiveness,” the organisation stated.
The statement was dated September 8, 2026.