By Patrick Titus, Uyo
Elders in Ibeno Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State have cautioned the President-General of the Ekid People’s Union (EPU), Dr. Samuel Udonsak against making statements capable of causing bitterness and disharmony among the people of the state.
The stakeholders’ decision came amid an appeal by the State Governor, Umo Eno for a sustainable peace and mutual understanding amongst all, devoid of ethnicity, an act that Dr. Udonsak has been accused of repeatedly disregarding.
Spokesman for Ibeno Elders Forum, Mr. Diamond Akpanika, on Sunday, while reacting to Dr. Udonsak’s comments, described Udonsak’s recent goodwill message marking the 39th Anniversary of Akwa Ibom State as “irresponsible,” and an act of “moral coward” alleging that, its tone could further inflame already sensitive communal issues.
Akpanika challenged the EPU President-General to publicly identify the persons he allegedly referred to as “opportunistic,” “land grabbers,” “warmongers” and “selfish agitators,” rather than, according to him, resorting to language capable of portraying entire communities in a negative light.
He expressed concern that the statement was coming at a time when Governor Eno had repeatedly called on political and socio-cultural leaders to refrain from rhetoric capable of deepening ethnic divisions.
“Dr. Samuel Udonsak has heard the Governor repeatedly speaking publicly and unequivocally about the need to maintain peace in Akwa Ibom. Yet, each time the Governor calls for restraint, we see another round of provocative statements from either Udonsak, his cohorts or through what appears to be sponsored faceless social media rants,” Akpanika alleged.
“We are sincerely at a loss as to what gives Dr. Udonsak and his cohorts the effrontery to consistently defy and demean the exalted office of the Governor of Akwa Ibom State.
“The continued conduct of the EPU leadership is a threat to the peace and stability of the state if allowed to continue unchecked.”
Akpanika maintained that socio-cultural organisations had a responsibility to promote peaceful coexistence, dialogue and mutual respect, rather than aggravate disagreements between communities.
He also accused the EPU leadership of applying what he described as “double standards” in dealing with questions of ancestral identity and territorial claims.
“You cannot demand respect for your own ancestral heritage while simultaneously ridiculing, questioning or delegitimising the historical identity of another community,” he said.
The Ibeno elders’ spokesman urged Udonsak and other parties to pursue any legitimate territorial or land-related grievances through the courts, stressing that such disputes should be resolved on the basis of evidence and due process rather than inflammatory public statements.
Akpanika commended Governor Eno for what he described as an inclusive approach to governance and his repeated appeals for unity among the diverse ethnic groups in the state.
“We must acknowledge and appreciate the Governor’s efforts at creating a sense of unity, commonality, inclusivity and oneness among the people of Akwa Ibom.
“His message has consistently been that our differences must not become instruments of hatred and division,” he said.
Recalling the violent clashes recorded in Ibeno in February 2024, which resulted in deaths, injuries and destruction of property, Akpanika warned that inflammatory rhetoric must not be allowed to create conditions for a recurrence.
“We must not allow the rhetoric that preceded such unfortunate events to return. We must not wait until people are killed before the government acts,” he cautioned.
He described Ibeno as a strategically important economic and energy hub whose fragile security environment demands responsible leadership from all stakeholders.
“Ibeno being the economic hub of Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria is a fragile environment, and pushing Ibeno to war will not be for the interest of the state and beyond. Udonsak should be called to order or the Akwa Ibom State should be ready to take the responsibility of Udonsak recalcitrant utterances.
“We are sincerely at a loss. What gives Dr. Udonsak and his cohorts the effrontery to consistently defy and demean the exalted office of the Governor of Akwa Ibom State? EPU’s conduct is a threat to the peace of the state if it continues unchecked,” he lamented.
Akpanika further called on the state government and relevant security agencies to enforce applicable laws against individuals whose actions or utterances threaten public peace.
He specifically referred to Manfred Ekpe, whom he alleged remains on the police wanted list, and other proxy platforms allegedly being used to circumvent public warnings.
The Ibeno elders urged political, traditional and socio-cultural leaders across the state to exercise restraint and pursue contentious matters through dialogue, lawful processes and established dispute-resolution mechanisms.
“Everyone, irrespective of position or affiliation, has a responsibility to protect the peace of Akwa Ibom,” Akpanika reiterated.
