By Ogenyi Ogenyi,Uyo
A Non Governmental Organisation, Open Forum for Humanity Organisation has called for truce and maturity in the handling of the use of traditional injunction by a
female traditional worshipper in her shrine to draw the attention of Governor Umo Eno to the handling of a land dispute in Akwa Ibom.
It has also called on the traditional institution to reject being used by political actors in the state to further their personal and selfish interests.
In a statement in Uyo endorsed by it’s Founder, Citizen Mathew Koffi Okono,a Productivity Advocate and Reformer, the organisation expressed dissatisfaction over the poor handling of the incident which went viral on social media.
It expressed saddeness that the attention given to Princess Godown Udoito’s private worship in her shrine attracted swift action rather than the reason for her act and appealed for amicable and discreet resolution of the matter because of some sensitive issues surrounding it.
“Open Forum is deeply concerned that the revered Akwa Ibom State Traditional Rulers in the State has been dragged into the case, not in the course of resolving the land matter, but in reaction to a traditional worshipper, Princess God’own Udoito’s private session at her shrine.
“This daughter of Esit Eket whose method of advocacy for the resolution of the land case went from her known Facebook podcast to using traditional items such as Ayei (Fresh palm frond) and Ufofob (local gin) to offer traditional prayers on the Stubb Creek matter at her shrine.
In a video which trended on social media, three Paramount Rulers, as emissaries of the Akwa Ibom State Traditional Rulers Council had gone to the palace of the Paramount Ruler of Esit Eket to deliver a message from the Akwa Ibom State Traditional Rulers Council, directing the Esit Eket Monarch and a clan head to bring Princess Udoito to a meeting at the State Traditional Rulers Council Chambers, .
“The traditional summons which involved the presentation of “ayei” raised mixed feelings with unfavorable comments across the State and beyond. The proposed meeting could not however hold as scheduled.
“In our pursuit of an amicable resolution of the incident, Open Forum had conversations with some royal fathers of interest over the matter, appealing for discreet resolution because of certain sensitive issues surrounding it.
It said the exposure of some protocols of the traditional rulers to social media was unacceptable and a disrespect to the sacred Identity of the traditional institution.
“This was made worse by the individual that secretly recorded and circulated on social media the amateur video of the supposed rare and sacred event of royal fathers on a special traditional visit to their colleague.
“This is an embarrassment to the traditional institution and the people of the State. The perpetrator should be warned against such breach of protocol and secrecy in future.
“The revered traditional institution must be insulated from poor sense of judgement, petty influences and crude interests of politically exposed persons who are ever ready to sacrifice anything in an attempt to manage their challenged reputations and retain their source(s) of lifelihood. ” The statement said.
He called for the setting up of a Palace Advisory Council for each of the Paramount Rulers in the state inorder to avoid decisions on critical issues only in the hands of the royal father’s alone to take.
“To ensure our royal fathers have access to bright minds to analyse and advise them on critical issues such as this before they take a decision for, or against we advocate the mandatory establishment of Palace Advisory Councils for all Paramount Rulers in the state. Clan Heads should have it too.
” Decisions on critical issues should not be left to the royal fathers alone to take with thorough review and expert recommendations. No royal father should be taken unaware of issues, particularly issues of consequence.
“We most respectfully appeal to our royal fathers to manage the outcome of the September 20, 2023 summons to avoid drawing the traditional institution to needless controversies beyond what is in public domain so far.
“We also appeal to those using the oppurtunity to taunt royal fathers to please cease further acts. As much as no one should be silenced while fighting for justice, a blanket demeaning of the traditional institution is a no, no. Where clear and outstanding issues of intentional oppressions and integrity are established, such can be treated as a stand- alone or isolated case. ” It said.
It expressed worry over the silence of political leaders, stakeholders, heads of socio-cultural organizations, opinion and religious leaders in the state over critical issues adding that everything should not be left to the Governor to attend to before they are resolved in the State.
“It is no longer a secret that some of those who should be solving crises are themselves perpetrators of crisis. Those who are always visible at ceremonies within and outside the State should not become invisible when responsibilities of leadership beckons. All hands must be on deck to make Akwa Ibom State a land where injustice and oppression are taboos.” The statement concluded.
