Abak: History
Abak became the seat of Government in 1902 after the war conquest of the British armed forces that invaded the valley lying between the Ediene and Abak Clans. The outcome of that victory penetration into the hinterland by the colonial soldiers and eventual installation of the government. Valley in the local language is called "Aba-ag" and fighting is "Anwan." By joining the two words "Aba-ag" and "Anwan" the name "Aba-ag Ikot Anwan" was given to the newly established entity. The seat of Government kept growing until 1957 and 1958 when it gained the status of Divisional Council Headquarters. At the establishment, the area included the present Ukanafun, Oruk Anam, Etim Ekpo, Ika and the present Abak. All the places mentioned here have been developed to become full-fledged local government areas.
At the end of the civil war, the South Eastern State Government was created and Abak became one of the Development Administrative Headquarters with the local government reforms of 1976, Abak became a full-fledged Local Government Area and has remained so till date.