- Ibibio Nation Dares him
- As Police Warns against breakdown of Law
By Franklyn Isong
The paramount ruler of ONNA local Government Area, Edidem Akpabio Udo Ukpa, has moved his installation as Okuibom III to his hometown, ONNA, to avoid the embarrassment and conflict as the Paramount Rulers of Ifim Ibom Ibibio led by the paramount ruler of Etinan, Edidem Ime Dickson Umoette, elders and youths of Ibibio nation threatened to disrupt the event of his installation earlier scheduled to hold at Asan Ibibio.
The stool has been under series of controversy between the ONNA monarch and his colleagues who insisted that these should be done in the proper Ibibio traditional way.
In a meeting held at Asan Ibibio last Friday, had the Paramount Rulers of Etinan, Ibiono Ibom, Uruan, Itu, Nsit Atai, Nsit Ibom, Uyo, Ikono, and Ini LGAs. It was called by Ntisong Essien Ekidem, the leader of Akwa Esop Imaisong Ibibio, the apex social cultural Ibibio group in the state also had the chairman Ibibio Elders Forum, Dr. Okon Akpan Oku, Prof. I. I. Ukpong and Gen. Edet Akpan, Rtd; Obong Udo C. J. George, Reps of Uyio Essien Ibibio; Captain Francis Ebong, Rtd.; Etebom Sylvanus E. Okon led other clan heads; Hon. Emmanuel Udo, Fmr. Eket Chairman; Obong Okon Emmah; Mr. Sammy Brown, President of Supreme Council of Ibibio Youth among several others
The meeting came out with a resolution which reads,“At a joint meeting of Ibibio people attended by the Paramount Rulers of Ifim Ibom Ibibio; Clan/Village Heads; Ntisong-in-Council and member of Akwa Esop Imaisong Ibibio; Chairman and members of Ibibio Elders Forum; President and members of Ibibio National Union; President and members of Uyio Essien Ibibio; Leaders of thought; women groups and all Ibibio Youth groups led by the President of Supreme Council of Ibibio Youth and other Ibibio social-cultural groups in the state, at Asan Ibibio on Friday, January 6, 2012 the following resolutions were made:
“Whereas, Ifim Ibom Ibibio otherwise called the Supreme Council of Ibibio Traditional Rulers was established in 1988 by law and is operated by its constitution with Ibibio Royal Fathers as its members.
“Whereas, by the constitution of Ifim Ibom Ibibio, Okuibom stool rotates alphabetically amongst Paramount Rulers of Ibibio Local Government Areas and the paramount rulers are the kingmakers and have the sole right of selecting the Okuibom who is their President according to their constitution.
“Whereas, Ifim Ibom constitution clearly spelt out the tenure of office of the Vice President and other executive positions of the body while that of its President, the Okuibom, was for a life-time.
“Whereas, in compliance to its rotational principle, Okuibom I, the Late Edidem Udo Uyota Akpabio, from ONNA (old Eket) LGA. While, Okuibom II, the Late Usonyin Okon Ekpo Ekpo, the late Paramount Ruler of Ibesikpo Asutan LGA was unanimously and traditionally selected as the Okuibom II by the kingmakers when other LGAs refused to take their turn either because they had no Paramount Ruler or ignored the position.
“Whereas, the late Paramount Ruler of Nsit Ubium LGA, Edidem Robert James Obot, was selected on the 1st Match, 2010 as the Okuibom III and had undergone the Ibibio tradition of usio ntong ekpo, ukong udak (traditional crown) and presentation and proclamation by nine Ibibio paramount rulers, clan/village heads and Ibibio social cultural groups according to Ibibio custom and tradition.
“Whereas, Late Edidem Robert James Obot was formally presented as the Okuibom III to Ibibio Nation on the 27th of July, 2010 at Asan Ibibio in accordance to Ibibio custom and traditional by ifim Ibom Ibibio.
“Whereas, the proclamation of Edidem Robert Obot as Okuibom III by the kingmakers was made on the 18th of September, 2010, at ASAN Ibibio to Ibibio Nation.
“Whereas, Edidem Robert Obot which installation as the Okuibom III was stalled by his gruesome murder at his Palace on the 30th day of January, 2011.
“Whereas, Edidem Akpabio Udo Ukpa, was expelled from Ifim Ibom Ibibio for disrespect, insubordination and sacrilege. He was never selected by the ifim Ibom Ibibio kingmakers nor had he undergone the traditional rites of usio ntong ikpo, ukong udak nor was he ever presented to Ibibio nation or proclaimed the Okuibom according to Ibibio custom and tradition.
“Whereas, Ibibios are still mourning His Eminence, Edidem Robert James
Obot, the Okuibom III, who was gruesomely murdered at the eve of his
installation and would not tolerate any further provocation by any person or
group of persons no matter their status.
“That we are in full support of the majority of the Ifim Ibom Ibibio kingmakers to select the Okuibom IV based on their constitutional provision of alphabetical rotation of Ibibio LGAs and Ibibio custom and tradition of selection: i.e., usio ntong ikpo, ukong udak, presentation and proclamation as was the case in Okuibom I, II, III.
“That, Ibibio people shall resist any attempt by any individual or group of individuals to rubbish the custom and tradition of Ibibio Nation. That, any matter relating to OKUIBOM Stool is strictly under the exclusive right of Ibibio Paramount Rulers who are the kingmakers.
Meanwhile, Akwa Ibom state Police command has said that it would guide against action that would threaten the peace and security of the state. The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Onyenka Orji, gave the assurance while fielding question from Weekend Insight on the matter through his telephone.
ASP Orji said that the command was aware of the crisis in the body and has taken steps to forestall violence and possible bridge of public peace in the state especially with the current volatile situation in the country. He warned that the force would deal with any individual or group of persons would take the law into his hands in the state no matter how highly placed, saying that the command would not play politics or get itself involved in traditional matters but advised that the Paramount Rulers should adhere strictly to the law of land.
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