Ibeno Clan Council hails Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio leadership transition, cautions against ethnic politics

Tony Okoh, Uyo

The Ibeno Clan Council of Akwa Ibom State has congratulated the Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio on the successful inauguration of its 12th International President and Executive Council, describing the peaceful transition as a demonstration of mature leadership, institutional stability and commitment to unity.

The Council also cautioned against the use of socio-cultural platforms to promote ethnic divisions and political interests, urging stakeholders across the state to embrace dialogue, mutual respect and peaceful coexistence.

Speaking with journalists on behalf of the Paramount Ruler of Ibeno at Upenekang, headquarters of Ibeno Local Government Area, on Sunday, the Secretary of the Ibeno Clan Council, Chief Okon Udofia, said the Council was particularly pleased with the orderly transition of leadership within Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio.

According to him, the transition reflects the enduring values of unity, peace, service and cultural preservation for which the organisation has become known.

Chief Udofia said the Ibeno Clan Council applauded Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio for consistently promoting harmony among the various ethnic nationalities in Akwa Ibom State while preserving the rich cultural heritage of the Ibibio people without resorting to hostility or division.

He congratulated the newly inaugurated International President, Akparawa Ini-Abasi Ekanem, and members of his Executive Council, wishing them a successful tenure characterised by wisdom, fairness and an unwavering commitment to the organisation’s guiding principle of “Oneness for Service.”

The Ibeno Clan Council, he said, was confident that the new leadership would build on the achievements of its predecessors and further strengthen the organisation’s role as a respected platform for cultural advancement, unity and peaceful coexistence.

Chief Udofia, however, expressed concern over what he described as an inflammatory goodwill message delivered by the President of the Ekid People’s Union (EPU), Dr. Samuel Udonsak, during the inauguration.

He noted that the speeches delivered by the representative of the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, the Grand Patron, the outgoing President and the newly inaugurated leadership of Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio largely focused on peace, unity, love and the collective progress of Akwa Ibom State.

According to him, the goodwill message attributed to Dr. Udonsak stood out for what the Council considered a different tone and content.

“It was disappointing that while every other speaker preached unity and peaceful coexistence, Dr. Udonsak chose the occasion to resurrect divisive territorial claims, attack a sister ethnic nationality and export the same confrontational rhetoric that has continued to isolate the Ekid People’s Union from many peace-loving stakeholders,” he said.

The Council alleged that repeated attempts to portray the Oro-Obolo people as adversaries could further deepen divisions among communities that have historically coexisted peacefully.

Chief Udofia said the Ibeno Clan Council found it troubling that, instead of supporting the vision of an “Akwa Ibom United,” issues capable of creating tension among ethnic groups were allegedly being raised at a gathering designed to promote cultural unity and brotherhood.

“It is troubling that rather than embrace the Governor’s vision of Akwa Ibom United, Dr. Udonsak once again demonstrated an obsession with promoting narratives capable of setting one ethnic group against another. Such conduct has no place on the respected platform of Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio,” he stated.

The Council further recalled what it described as a previous public rebuke by Governor Umo Eno over statements allegedly considered capable of inciting division and threatening the peace of the state.

Chief Udofia said such public caution should ordinarily encourage greater restraint and responsible public communication among leaders of socio-cultural organisations.

“One would have expected that such public caution from the Governor would inspire greater restraint. Instead, the Mboho inauguration was used as another opportunity by Dr. Udonsak to further his divisive rhetoric under the guise of a goodwill message,” he alleged.

The Ibeno Clan Council also rejected what it described as assertions concerning the status of Okposo I and Okposo II, insisting that both communities are core Obolo communities in Ibeno Local Government Area.

The Council maintained that questions concerning history, ownership and territorial boundaries should not be settled through public speeches or political pronouncements but through established legal and institutional processes.

“It is our position that matters concerning history and territorial boundaries are too sensitive to be subjected to political propaganda or rhetoric. Where there are genuine disputes, the appropriate authorities and the courts remain the proper avenues for their resolution,” the Council said.

Against this backdrop, the Ibeno Clan Council appealed to the newly inaugurated leadership of Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio to remain vigilant against attempts by individuals or groups to use the organisation’s respected platform to pursue personal, sectional or political battles.

Chief Udofia said Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio had, over the years, earned widespread respect because of its role as a bridge-builder across Akwa Ibom State and beyond.

“Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio has earned enormous respect because it has consistently been a bridge-builder across Akwa Ibom State and beyond. It must never allow itself to become a convenient platform for importing the hostility and divisive agenda that have become associated with the Ekid People’s Union under its present leadership,” he stated.

He urged the new executive to protect the integrity of the organisation by ensuring that its activities remained focused on cultural development, unity, peace and service to humanity.

“The new leadership should be wary of those who, having lost credibility in their own circles through persistent antagonism and confrontational rhetoric, now seek the legitimacy and wider audience of respected socio-cultural organisations to continue spreading discord,” he added.

The Ibeno Clan Council also stressed that the people of Ekid should not be judged by the actions or statements of any individual or organisation, noting that many prominent Ekid sons and daughters have continued to promote friendship, dialogue and peaceful coexistence across the state.

Chief Udofia said the Council recognised and appreciated the contributions of the Ekid people who have remained committed to building bridges and strengthening relationships among the various communities in Akwa Ibom.

“The people of Ekid are not synonymous with the divisive posture of the present leadership of the Ekid People’s Union. We acknowledge and appreciate the many distinguished Ekid sons and daughters who continue to build bridges of friendship across Akwa Ibom State,” he said.

The Council reaffirmed its commitment to peaceful coexistence with all ethnic nationalities in Akwa Ibom State, including the Ekid people, stressing that the people of Ibeno remained committed to peace, mutual respect and harmonious relationships with their neighbours.

It expressed confidence that the newly inaugurated leadership of Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio would continue the organisation’s tradition of promoting unity and peaceful coexistence while resisting attempts to turn the platform into a vehicle for ethnic confrontation.

The Ibeno Clan Council urged all ethnic and socio-cultural organisations in the state to embrace dialogue and responsible leadership, saying the collective interests of Akwa Ibom would be better served when leaders prioritise peace and development over divisive rhetoric.

The Council maintained that Akwa Ibom’s strength lies in its diversity and the ability of its various ethnic nationalities to coexist peacefully, adding that no community or organisation should allow temporary political interests to undermine the bonds of friendship and brotherhood that have existed among the people for generations.

It, therefore, called on the new leadership of Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio to remain committed to its ideals of “Oneness for Service” and use its influential position to promote peace, unity, cultural advancement and sustainable development throughout Akwa Ibom State and beyond.