No New Village Head Has Been Selected For Ekpri Nsukara Offot – Village Council
...Expresses Appreciations For Support Accorded Obsequies Of Late Village Head
The Ekpri Nsukara Offot Village Council in Uyo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State has dispelled misinformation that the community has selected a new village head to succeed their late monarch.
The late village head of Ekpri Nsukara Offot, Eteidung Linus Etim Essien, who transited at the age of 76, was laid to rest on Friday, December 23, 2022. He reigned as the village head from 2002 – 2022.
The village council in a statement issued on Thursday, January 12, 2023, said that it was totally false and misleading for anybody or group of persons, no matter how highly placed in the community to attempt to lay claims to the throne or parade anyone as having been so selected when no such decision has ever been taken.
The statement, signed by the Chairman of the Ekpri Nsukara Offot Village Council, Comrade Morris Silas Bassey; Secretary, Elder Domingo B. Etim and the President of the Youth Council of Ekpri Nsukara Offot Village, Hon. Otuekong Emem Asikpo, said at a meeting of the community convened on Tuesday, January 3, 2023 at the Palace of the late village head at 93 Ekpri Nsukara Offot Road, it was clearly resolved that selection of a new village head should be completely set aside for now until further notice.
The community said it will amount to dancing on the grave of the Late Eteidung Linus Etim Essien to select a new village just few days after his burial on Friday, December 23, 2022.
It further stated that Ekpri Nsukara Offot Village Council will follow laid down procedures usually adopted for the nomination and selection of a person or persons who are nursing interest before formal election is conducted and anyone so chosen as the would-be village head will be accorded the usual traditional rites before his formal proclamation and presentation to the community; Offot Ukwa Clan Council of Chiefs; Uyo Traditional Rulers Council and Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs respectively.
“It has become necessary to bring to the notice of the entire people of Ekpri Nsukara Offot Village, both home and abroad, the Offot Ukwa Clan Council of Chiefs, Uyo Traditional Rulers Council, Uyo Local Government and the general public of the clandestine activities of some misguided elements in the village who wants to usurp the role of kingmakers in the Village.
“Ekpri Nsukara Offot Village Council is yet to set the ball rolling for the selection of a substantive village head as it just recently that we conducted the funeral rites of the Late Eteidung Linus Etim Essien who reigned from 2002 to 2022.
“At the meeting of the Ekpri Nsukara Offot Village Council with a cross section of stakeholders in attendance, we collectively resolved that the issue of succession for the office of the Village Head be withheld for now until further notice for widespread consultation to be sufficiently carried out.
“Again, it was reasoned that such action now will be premature and that it will amount to dancing on the grave of the Late Eteidung Linus Etim Essien only few days after his funeral obsequies,” the statement added.
The community warned those involved in such acts to refrain forthwith or else will be appropriately sanctioned and handed over to the law enforcement agencies for perpetuating acts likely to cause breach of peace, unity and tranquillity in Ekpri Nsukara Offot and beyond.
Meanwhile, the community has expressed appreciation to Heads of Ministries, Departments, Agencies, Security Agencies, traditional and ecclesiastical bodies, the people of the community and several other well-wishers and sympathizers for their prayers and support towards the successful funeral obsequies for their late monarch.
