Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, has warned traditional rulers in the state that they risk losing their certificates of recognition if peace breaks down in their domains.

Otu gave the warning on Monday at the 21st edition of the Leboku International New Yam Festival held at the Yakurr Peace Stadium, Ugep, where he condemned the recent communal conflict between Ugep and Idomi communities in Yakurr LGA that reportedly led to loss of lives.

Describing the violence as a “show of shame”, the governor said communal conflicts undermine the peace, tourism and economic development of the state.

“I wish to condemn in its entirety the recent inter-communal war between Ugep and Idomi communities, which led to the loss of precious lives. To the warring communities and other Yakurr communities which may have aligned with the combatants, I condemn this in its entirety,” Otu said.

He revealed that government had considered cancelling the 2026 Leboku festival over the crisis, but decided against it to protect the festival’s objective of promoting peace, unity and brotherhood among the Yakurr people.

Addressing the Obol Lopon of Ugep and Paramount Ruler of Yakurr, Obol Ofem Ubana Eteng, Otu questioned why the crisis escalated despite the traditional institution’s responsibility to maintain peace.

“Your 11 years of reign on the throne of your forefathers have so far been peaceful and impactful. What went wrong beyond your control this time? As the head of the entire Yakurr nation, you must control your subjects,” he said.

The governor reminded village heads, clan heads and paramount rulers that maintaining peace and preserving customs were primary responsibilities, warning:
“The state government will therefore not fail to withdraw the certificate of recognition from any royal father where there is a breakdown of peace in his domain. Tourism cannot thrive in a volatile and chaotic environment.”

Otu also announced that government would not recognise any of the rival factions in the leadership crisis in Agoi Ibami, another Yakurr community, where two persons were reportedly presented as Chief and Clan Head on the same day.

“The Cross River State Government will not recognise any of the camps of the two people who are parading themselves presently in Agoi Ibami,” he declared, adding that recognition would only come after the parties resolve their differences.

Speaking on the festival theme “Rooted in Culture, Growing in Prosperity”, Otu said Leboku had evolved into a cultural and economic platform for attracting tourists and investors.

He linked the festival to his administration’s “green economic revolution”, disclosing a $70 billion public-private partnership investment package, with $1.5 billion earmarked for agriculture. Target areas include rice value-chain, fishery, dairy, trawler fishing and oil palm development.

Earlier, Yakurr LGA Chairman, Hon. Yibala Inyang, and Commissioner for Tourism, Mr Obi Ayuk Offor, described Leboku as vital for tourism and economic growth, and called for peace to sustain it.

The Obol Lopon Advisory Council through Comrade Azikiwe Williams commended Otu’s infrastructure projects and appealed for rehabilitation of the Ugep Peace Stadium and extension of CRBC signal to Yakurr.