The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Umo Eno, has urged the state’s traditional leaders to eschew politicians’ attempts to split the state along racial lines.
Recall that in efforts to stop the adoption of the modified Traditional Rulers Law, cap 155 of the Akwa Ibom State Government, several traditional rulers have taken the state government to court.
Among other modifications, the new law disregards the long-standing rotating norms and designates Oku Ibom Ibibio as the President-General of the Akwa Ibom State Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers.
As a result, there is now division and chaos in the state, with some blaming politicians for stoking the flames of discord among the traditional authorities.
Speaking to members of the Global Evangelical and Missionary Church of All Nations, Oron, on Sunday amid the division, Umo Éno urged the monarchs to work with the government to establish peace and unity in the state.
“The State is one. Every Akwa Ibom man, whether Oron, Annang, or Ibibio, we are one. Who are you going to fight? Probably you are married to an Ibibio woman or you are married to an Annang man or you have grandchildren there. We have come very far as a people and must not allow politicians to divide this state along ethnic lines”, Eno said.
Gov Eno urges traditional rulers to refrain from ethnic politics