Group condemns alleged sponsors of traditional stool crises

Akpan Umoh, Uyo

A sociopolitical group, the Mkpat Enin Unity Network has thrown its weight behind the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno towards resolving the traditional crisis currently bedeviling the state.

The group also appealed to some of the aggrieved traditional rulers who instituted legal suits against the governor for signing the Amended Traditional Rulers bill into Law, to withdraw the case and give a chance for dialogue.

This was contained in a communique signed by the National Coordinator, Mr Akpabio Ufot-Akpabio, Chapter Coordinator, Mr Joe Akpan, and Director of Media and Publicity of the group Mr Udoinyang Mbat at the end of an emergency meeting of Mkpat Enin Unity Network in Uyo on Tuesday

The Communique commented on the governor and the House of Assembly for assenting to the bill, noting that the amendment would strengthen the traditional institution in the state. The communique condemned the alleged sponsorship of the traditional stool crises by some disguised politicians aiming to destabilise the state’s peaceful co-existence.

“We condemn in strong terms attempts by a few sponsored traditional rulers to ostracize themselves from an indivisible people who have lived together over the past decade, having all things in common without any form of resentment or sentiments of ethnicity now cynically promoted on the altar of our peaceful coexistence.   

“We equally condemn the comments credited to some politicians in their several attempts to incite citizens against the state and call on them to divest interest away from the traditional institutions so as not to demystify its status and for the sake of peace, unity, progress and development in the state.”

The Communique called for mutual respect among the diverse ethnic groups in the state as handed down by the founding fathers.

It urged the traditional leaders in the state not to allow themselves to be used by politicians within or outside the state for their selfish political aims or to settle scores with their perceived political enemies.

“We wish to remind those who are fanning the embers of hatred in the state that our traditional stool, from the existence of our state (whether village or clan) has never been tenure-based.

“This practice appears to be the same everywhere all over the world. We, therefore, appeal to the conscience of our people to allow peace a chance to enable the nascent government of Pastor Umo Eno to succeed for the good of all.

“Government’s action will go down in the annals of history for raising the standard of our traditional institutions to be at par with other states of the federation who, until now, had taken us as perpetual dross when the likes of Sultan of Sokoto, the Ooni of Ife, Obi of Onitsha, Obong of Calabar, Tor Tiv of Makurdi, the Oba of Benin, Olu of Warri, Emir of Zaria, the Oba of Lagos etc, come under mention.

“Mkpat Enin Unity Network calls on all right-thinking people of the state to eschew the costly sentiments being peddled about by detractors of the state and support the elevation of our state’s traditional institution to what obtains in other states of the federation.

“In that light, we use this uncommon opportunity granted us to urge His Eminence, to continue using his good offices to strengthen the bond of Unity in the state and work assiduously to uplift and protect our cherished traditional and cultural norms and values the more,” the communique added.