By Ike Uchechukwu, CALABAR
Cross River State Governor, Sen. Prince Bassey Edet Otu, has issued a stern warning to traditional rulers across the state, threatening to strip them of their certificates of recognition should peace collapse in their domains.
The governor, represented by his Deputy, Hon Peter Odey, gave the warning on Monday at the 21st edition of the Leboku International New Yam Festival held at the Yakurr Peace Stadium, Ugep.
The governor used the occasion to condemn the recent communal conflict between Ugep and Idomi communities in Yakurr Local Government Area, describing it as a “show of shame.”
Otu disclosed that the government had contemplated cancelling this year’s Leboku festival in the wake of the crisis, but stepped back from the decision to avoid undermining the festival’s core mission of fostering peace, unity and brotherhood among the Yakurr people.
“I wish to condemn in entirety the recent inter-communal war between Ugep and Idumi communities, which led to the loss of precious lives.
“To the warring communities and other Yakurr communities which may have aligned with the combatants, I condemn this in its entirety. It was indeed a show of shame,” Otu said.
The governor called on traditional institutions to shoulder greater responsibility for sustaining peace, particularly following the bloody Ugep-Idumi crisis.
Turning directly to the Obol Lopon of Ugep and Paramount Ruler of Yakurr, Obol Ofem Ubana Eteng, Otu queried how the crisis was allowed to spiral despite the monarch’s traditional duty to safeguard peace.
While commending Eteng’s 11-year reign as largely peaceful and impactful, the governor pressed him to tighten control over his subjects to forestall a repeat of the violence.
“Your 11 years of reign on the throne of your forefathers have so far been peaceful and impactful.
“What went wrong beyond your control this time? As the head of the entire Yakurr nation, you must control your subjects,” he said.
Otu reminded village heads, clan heads, paramount rulers and other recognised traditional authorities that preserving peace, customs and tradition remained central to their roles and warned that defaulting monarchs would face sanctions.
“The state government will therefore not fail to withdraw the certificate of recognition from any royal father where there is a breakdown of peace in his domain. Tourism cannot thrive in a volatile and chaotic environment,” the governor declared.
He further announced that the state government would withhold recognition from either faction embroiled in the leadership tussle rocking Agoi Ibami, another Yakurr community.
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