A’Ibom Monarch Draws Battle Line With Udom

By Abasiofiok Inyang

A traditional ruler in Akwa Ibom State and village head of Omum Unyam, Etim Ekpo Local Government Area, Chief Ignatius Francis Ibanga over illegal possession of school properties, has drawn his sword in readiness for an epic battle with Governor Udom Emmanuel, saying that the directive from the State Governor is a huge joke which he cannot comply.

The Sensor gathered that the State Government through the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs had directed the village head to leave the oil palm estate, generating set, television set and VCD set belonging to the St. Mary’s Catholic School in the village to the school stating his conversion of the property to personal use was unlawful, stating that his failure to comply with the directives would attract severe sanctions even as the village head’s refusal to constitute a valid village council with the kingmakers who endorsed his selection as members is said to be disturbing the government.

In a letter dated 19th July, 2017 with Reference No. MLG/CHF/6/S.15/139 and signed by the Secretary, State Council of Chiefs, Samuel Essien (Esq), channeled through the Secretary, Traditional Rulers Council, Etim Ekpo LGA. The letter was entitled “Re: Complaint About The Atrocious Conduct Of Chief Ignatius Francis Ibanga, Village Head Of Omum Unyam, Etim Ekpo LGA”. It stated, “it has come to the knowledge of the Hon. Commissioner, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs that you unlawfully seized the school properties, to wit: oil palm estate, generating set, television set, VCD set and converted same to your personal use. You have refused to constitute Village Council and your action threatened the peaceful co-existence of the people in the village.
Arising therefrom, you are directed to immediately return all the school properties to the school management and cease forthwith further trespass into the school’s land. You are further directed to constitute a valid Village Council with the kingsmaker who endorsed your selection as members to run the affair of the village. Take note that failure to comply with these directives will attract severe sanction. Treat as important and urgent, please”.

The village head who is said to have questioned the messenger the rationale behind the letter, is alleged to have ignored government school’s palm estate on the 9th of August, 2017 with armed thugs just like he ordered the school on 25th July, 2017 not to hold Parents’ Day Celebration. Multiple sources in the school and the village confirmed the order during interactions with our correspondent at Omum Unyam. One of the family heads, Chief Idongesit Udontuen who advised the village head against meddling in the school affairs is said to have been attacked and robbed at his residence, but the victim is said to have escaped a gunman’s shot by the whiskers. The attack is said to be linked to Chief Ibanga who is alleged to have sown the seed of discord among his subjects and exploited the disunity to his advantage.

The village head is also alleged to have pitched a section of the youths against the elders even as crime waves in his domain are said to have been on increase. Chief Ibanga who could not pick his calls for his side of the story is said to be adamant, holding on to the school property (ies). A source loyal to the village head who refused his name to be mentioned confided in our correspondent that even if the state government threatens fire and brimstone, the village head has since dismissed the sanction threat as ridiculous and doubtful of his compliance.

Culled From The Sensor Newspaper