Otu to sanction traditional rulers over communal violence

Cross River State Government has sought $25 million in international support to address the impact of recent floods and landslides and has strengthened the state’s resilience against future disasters.

The appeal was made at the ongoing United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) COP17 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, where the state is presenting its proposed Cross River Restore Hope Initiative to development partners and potential investors.

The proposal, presented by members of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Martins Achadu and Catherine Ubi, seeks funding for emergency response, ecological restoration, infrastructure and long-term disaster prevention.

The state said heavy rainfall between July and August triggered landslides and flooding in several parts of Calabar and surrounding communities, resulting in deaths, destruction of property and displacement.

At Ikot Anwatim in Calabar Municipality, a landslide reportedly killed five people, including four children from the same family, destroyed two houses and injured residents.

Another landslide at Boro Pit/Satellite Town reportedly killed a child, while flooding in Ekorinim 2 displaced more than 15 households, according to assessments by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Cross River State Emergency Management Agency.

MEANWHILE, the state Governor, 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 yesterday 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 Local Council 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 the government had considered cancelling the 2026 Leboku festival over the crisis, but decided otherwise 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, the governor enquired 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.