Akwa Ibom traditional rulers assert authority, warn against infringement

Tony Okoh, Uyo

Ifim Ibom Ibibio, the apex traditional institution in Ibibio Land of Akwa Ibom State has admonished Akwa Esop Imaisong Ibibio and other socio-cultural bodies against appropriating functions or roles strictly meant for the traditional institution to themselves.

In a press release issued on Friday in Uyo, Ifim Ibom Ibibio, otherwise known as the Supreme Council of Ibibio Traditional Rulers, frowned at a news report captioned, “Akwa Esop Imaisong Ibibio: A Salute From The Ancestral Thrones – Celebrating The 61st Floor Of Divine Purpose” published by a local tabloid, the Ibom Nation Newspaper of Monday, April 21st – Sunday 27th, 2025.

The body in the release signed by its Chairman and Paramount Ruler of Ibiono Ibom LGA, HRM Okuku Ime Udousoro Inyang, and Secretary and Paramount ruler of ONNA, HRM Edidem Raymond T. Inyang said the news report was very misleading to ascribe to Akwa Esop Imaisong Ibibio, a socio-cultural organization, the status of “Ancestral Thrones.”

It said that it was also wrong to further allude divinity to officers of Akwa Esop Imaisong Ibibio by stating, “As the spiritual fathers of the Ibibio race, we pray that the gods of our land continue to guide your steps…”

The press release stated, “The attention of Ifim Ibom Ibibio, the apex traditional institution in Ibibio Land has been drawn to a news report captioned, “Akwa Esop Imaisong Ibibio: A Salute From The Ancestral Thrones – Celebrating The 61st Floor Of Divine Purpose” published by a local tabloid, the Ibom Newspaper in its edition of Monday, April 21st – Sunday 27th, 2025.

“Our reaction to the news report is on its misleading assumptions, ascribing to Akwa Esop Imaisong Ibibio, a socio-cultural organization, the status of “Ancestral Thrones.”

“Another paragraph further alluded to divinity to officers of Akwa Esop Imaisong Ibibio, by stating, “As the spiritual fathers of the Ibibio race, we pray that the gods of our land continue to guide your steps…”

“We wish to state clearly that socio-cultural bodies are not traditional institutions under the customary laws as prevalent in our land and are appropriately recognized by the Government. As such, it is wrong, perverse and ill-intentioned, therefore, to allude to such organizations the status of “Ancestral Thrones” or their officials being addressed, called or classed as “spiritual fathers of the Ibibio race.

“For clarity, traditional rulers, as the custodians of the people’s culture and traditions, are the gatekeepers and overseers of ancestral thrones as may be so classified. Accordingly, traditional rulers remain the spiritual fathers of the people.”

Ifim Ibom Ibibio, therefore, urged “socio-cultural bodies to employ an understanding of the prevalent sacred facts and accordingly toe the path of decorum in all their activities to avoid assumptions that may distort known customary laws, traditional norms and rules.”