Attah, Ibibio Paramount Rulers At War

The ex-Governor of Akwa Ibom state, Obong Victor Attah, is enmeshed in a verbal war with the paramount rulers of the Ibibio land as recent events reveal.

Lately, in an interview with an Akwa Ibom-based newspaper(not Community Pulse), Obong Attah was quoted as saying that HRM Akpabio Udo Ukpa is the Oku Ibom 111, an utterance that has since sparked off mixed reactions from the traditional fathers and annoyed a large number of them. In the said interview, Obong Attah had questioned the rationale behind the controversial stand of some people who continue to insist that since the late Usonyin Okon Ekpo Ekpo was not properly buried, a new Oku Ibom could not emerge.

The elder statesman had questioned the emergence of Chief Ita Etuk who took over from the late Usonyin as Paramount Ruler of Ibesikpo Asutan and insisted that the emergence of another Paramount Ruler after the death of Usonyin Ekpo only smacks of double standards.

However, returning fire for fire, the traditional chiefs in a release signed by the Paramount Rulers of Nsit Ubium (HRM Edidem Robert J. Obot), Etinan (HRM Edidem D. Umoette), Ibiono Ibom (HRM Okuku Ime Udousoro Inyang), Uruan (HRM Edidem), Itu (HRM Edidem Akpan Inyang), Ikono (HRM Edidem Effiong Akpan Ineme) and Uyo (HRM Edidem Silas Akpan) and made available to the Community Pulse, accused Obong Attah of complicity in the on-going saga of confusions and disrespect to customs and traditional norms in Ibibio land.

“The present state of confusion, anarchy and complete disrespect to our customs and traditional norms is the legacy left behind in Ibibio land by Obong (Arc.) Victor Attah”, the paramount rulers said, adding also that Obong Attah “has no right whatsoever to speak on behalf of the Ibibios.”

Going headlong into the matter, the paramount rulers posited that the appointment of a paramount ruler is covered by the Akwa Ibom State Traditional Rulers law, whereas te selection of and enthronement of Oku Ibom Ibibio purely a traditional matter vested only in the paramount rulers of Ibibio land.

Going hard on the ex-governor, the chiefs accused him of not making any provision for the Oku Ibom in his eight years as governor and warned him to allow the burial of Oku Ibom II to be concluded in peace “which the present administration has shown tangible concern to correct the confusion that he created and left behind”.