There Is No Village Headship Tussle In Ekpri Nsukara Offot – Village Council
...Says Selection Of New Village Head Will Be Lawfully Done
The Ekpri Nsukara Offot Village Council in Uyo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State has again dispelled misinformation that the community has selected a new village head to succeed their late monarch.
The Village has also maintained that there is no leadership crisis or tussle concerning the selection of a new Village Head to assume the reigns of leadership since the passage of the Late Eteidung Linus Etim Essien, who joined his ancestors and was laid to rest on Friday, December 23, 2022.
In a statement on Monday, May 1, 2023, the Village Council said a recent news publication alleging “Village Head tussle” in the community was completely false, misleading and a figment of the imagination of the writers, as such does not exist.
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, maintained that the leadership of the community remains intact and has not been dissolved as erroneously claimed by the faceless concerned persons in news reports.
The statement read, “We are very law-abiding in Ekpri Nsukara Offot. We are yet to select a new Village Head and when it is done, it will follow the due process of the law.
“In our earlier meeting convened on Tuesday, January 3, 2023, at the Palace of the Late Village Head, Eteidung Linus Etim Essien at No. 93 Ekpri Nsukara Offot Road, it was resolved that the selection of a new village head should be set aside until further notice.
Related: Ekpri Nsukara Offot Community Warns UNIUYO Against Illegal Annexation Of Land
“That decision at that time was wisely taken as it could have amounted to dancing on the grave of the Late Eteidung Linus Etim Essien to select a new village head just a few days after his burial on Friday, December 23, 2022.
“Interestingly, the Ekpri Nsukara Offot Community has been holding several meetings at the instance of the Village Council presided over by the Chairman, Comrade Morris Silas Bassey; Secretary, Elder Domingo B. Etim and the President of the Youth Council, Hon. Otuekong Emem Asikpo with the full attendance of stakeholders, including family heads, men, women and youths.
“Such is the only forum that a matter as crucial as that of the selection/election of a new Village Head can be discussed or new officers for the Village Council carried out, as the case may be.
“However, we have never done so yet. The insinuations therefore that a new Village Head was selected or that the leadership of the Village Council as currently constituted, which oversees all affairs of the Village was dissolved are completely untrue and should be discarded.
The Community maintained that “Since the demise of the Village Head, the Council Village has kept all activities in the village open and carried out its conducts transparently and also informs the Offot Ukwa Clan Council and the Paramount Ruler of its meetings, decisions and actions.”
Read Also: No New Village Head Has Been Selected For Ekpri Nsukara Offot – Village Council
“It is therefore preposterous for any person or group of persons to insinuate that there is a tussle in the community about village headship,” the statement added.
The village council said it was 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 community assured that it will follow laid down procedures usually adopted for the selection of a new Village Head and anyone so chosen 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.
The Council warned those involved in such nefarious acts of misinforming the public to refrain forthwith or else will be appropriately sanctioned and handed over to the law enforcement agencies for perpetuating acts likely to cause a breach of peace, unity and tranquillity in the village and beyond.
