Date Published: 10/07/09

Ibibios say no to descretion of Asan

A call has gone to the leader of the Ibibio race and head of the Ibibio Elders Forum, Ntisong Essien Ekidem III warning against a proposed meeting of the association aimed at endorsing the political ambition of Governor Godswill Akpabio, saying it would endanger the unity and cohesion of the Ibibio people.

This much was evident in a letter dated September 24, 2009 written by the Akpan Uyo and Ntisong Ibibio II, His Royal Highness Sebastian James Umoren and addressed to his successor Ntisong Essien Ekidem III.

Ntisong Umoren’s letter was prompted by a proposal by some renegade members of the Forum to stage a political meeting aimed at endorsing Governor Godswill Akpbio for continuation in office.

The letter read in part, “I am writing because it has come to my knowledge that some Ibibio political leaders seek to use the Asan (the sacred place of the Ibibios) and by extension the Esop platform to declare their support for Governor Godswill Akpabio to continue in office after 2011. “While it is the right of everyone to hold whatever view they may please, it is my opinion that it should not be done in a manner that will seek to commit the Ibibio people to a cause that all may not believe in.”

Esop Imaisong Ibibio, like the Egbe Omo Oduduwa of old or the contemporary Afenifere or Ohanaeze Ndigbo, is the umbrella cultural body of the Ibibio people. 

Reminding Ntisong Essien Ekidem III of a near tragic history, Ntisong II, Sir S.J. Umoren said “I urge you to remember what happened in 1982 when Ntisong I, took a political stand in favour of a certain party the result was the near-collapse of Esop. Today, the silent majority of Ibibio people are of a totally different opinion and I am appealing to you not to allow anything to be done to marginalize them.”

On a final note in the letter, Ntisong Umoren warned, “do not allow anyone to jeopardize your authority before your people for political reasons… At this trying time for the Ibibio people I pray that God give you the wisdom for the season.”

It is also believed in many quarters that the action which Ntisong III is trying to take could be described as that of a few Ibibio renegades as it does not represent the wishes of the majority Ibibio people. Some people interviewed are saying that Akpabio seems to be interested in campaign of endorsements through inducements while some in addition believe that his action is capable of creating more disorderliness in the State.

It would be recalled that in 1982 Ntisong Ibibio I, the predecessor of the Ntisong Umoren II who handed over to the present occupant (Ntisong Ekidem III) of the hallowed office made the mistake of backing one of the political parties, thus causing a serious rift which nearly destroyed the Esop. Therefore, as some people plan to use the same platform to support Governor Akpabio’s ambition the question on the lips of observers is whether history, nasty history, will repeat itself.

It is a popular belief that should the endorsement show that is billed for Saturday September 10, 2009 holds, the popularity of Ntisong III will go down sharply but above all, there could be some fracas within the State which the security agencies may only stop through intimidations since the governor is the chief security officer of the State.