Ibeno Elders accuse EPU President of provocative utterances

Tony Okoh, Uyo

Stakeholders in Ibeno Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State have condemned what they described as inflammatory remarks by the President-General of the Ekid People’s Union (EPU), Dr. Samuel Udonsak, accusing him of repeatedly disregarding Governor Umo Eno’s appeals for restraint and peaceful coexistence amid growing communal tensions in the state.

Speaking with journalists at Upenekang on Sunday, a spokesman for the Ibeno Elders Forum, Barrister Diamond Akpanika, described Udonsak’s recent goodwill message marking the 39th anniversary of Akwa Ibom State as irresponsible, alleging that its tone could further aggravate already sensitive communal issues.

Akpanika challenged the EPU President-General to publicly identify the individuals he allegedly referred to as “opportunistic,” “land grabbers,” “warmongers”, and “selfish agitators,” rather than, according to him, using language capable of portraying entire communities negatively.

The Ibeno elders’ spokesman expressed concern that the statement was issued at a time when Governor Eno had repeatedly appealed to political, traditional 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.

He questioned what he described as the EPU leadership’s continued disregard for the appeals of the state government, warning that such conduct could pose a threat to peace and stability if left unchecked.

Akpanika maintained that socio-cultural organisations have a responsibility to promote peaceful coexistence, dialogue and mutual respect rather than aggravate disagreements between communities.

He also accused the EPU leadership of what he described as “double standards” in dealing with issues 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 with legitimate territorial or land-related grievances to pursue such matters through the courts and other established dispute-resolution mechanisms.

He stressed that contentious issues should be determined based on evidence and due process rather than through 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 various ethnic groups in Akwa Ibom 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 violent clashes recorded in Ibeno in February 2024, which reportedly resulted in deaths, injuries and destruction of property, Akpanika warned against rhetoric that could 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.

Describing Ibeno as a strategically important economic and energy hub, Akpanika said the area’s security situation required responsible leadership and restraint 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 in the interest of the state and beyond,” he said.

He called on the state government and relevant security agencies to enforce applicable laws against individuals whose actions or utterances threaten public peace.

Akpanika also mentioned Manfred Ekpe, whom he alleged remains on the police wanted list, as well as other proxy platforms allegedly being used to circumvent public warnings. The allegations were not independently verified.

The Ibeno elders further appealed to 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.