The people of Ekpri Nsukara Offot Village in Uyo Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, have risen in strong defence of their Village Head, Eteidung Emem Denis Asikpo, warning one of their sons, Mr. Udeme Eyo Asuquo, and his associates to desist from what they described as a smear campaign against the traditional stool.
In a communiqué issued at the end of an enlarged village meeting held at the Palace of the Village Head on Saturday, April 26, 2025, the community expressed disappointment over what they called a pattern of false allegations and blackmail against Eteidung Asikpo, which they traced to unresolved grievances over the outcome of the village head selection held in May 2023.
The meeting, attended by the Village Council Chairman, Family Heads, Councillors from all five families, youth leaders, eminent residents, and members of the motorcyclists’ union, firmly rejected a recent advertorial authored by Mr. Asuquo and published in The Pioneer Newspaper (April 21–22 edition), where he accused the village head of using “cult boys” to intimidate indigenes.
According to the communiqué, the publication is “totally false, malicious, and a calculated attempt to tarnish the hard-earned reputation of Eteidung Asikpo.”
The community disclosed that the so-called clash referred to in the publication was a minor internal squabble within the Association of Motorcyclists, caused by an external troublemaker, Mr. Okokon Okon Sampson, who, without any mandate, stormed their park with supporters to illegally dissolve the executive by ringing a bell and declaring himself leader.
The move was resisted, leading to a fight in which he and others sustained injuries. The matter, they said, had nothing to do with the village head.
In their words, “The Village Head acted with compassion by calming the agitated youths and even provided medical assistance to those injured. It is therefore unacceptable and wicked for anyone to twist this into a tale of cult violence.”
The community further accused Mr. Asuquo of plotting to discredit the village head following the failure of his preferred candidate to emerge as Village Head in 2023. “The truth remains: you may desire kingship, but only God crowns. Eteidung Asikpo was duly selected by the kingmakers and issued a certificate of recognition by the State Government,” the statement read.
It also recalled a frivolous petition Mr. Asuquo submitted to the Police Force Intelligence Department (FID) Abuja, which led to the Village Head being invited. The meeting, which had the Paramount Ruler of Uyo, chiefs, and legal representatives in attendance, reportedly found no substance in the petition. When the matter was referred to the Uyo Traditional Rulers Council, Mr. Asuquo reportedly failed to appear.
Describing his actions as "reckless and unbecoming of a true son of the soil," the community warned Mr. Asuquo and his allies to desist from any further attempts to blackmail the village leadership or face legal consequences.
The meeting ended with a vote of confidence passed on Eteidung Emem Denis Asikpo in recognition of his excellent leadership and peace-building efforts.
FULL SIGNATORIES TO THE COMMUNIQUÉ:
Comrade Morris Silas Bassey, Chairman, Village Council
Obong Edem Mark, Vice Chairman, Village Council
Elder Domingo Bassey Etim, Secretary, Village Council
Obong Enefiok Paul Peter, Family Head, Nung Udo Akpakpan
Obong Effiong Henry, Family Head, Nung Abasi Imo
Obong Francis Essang, Family Head, Nung Okpo
Obong Michael Jerome, Family Head, Nung Ukpong
Obong Edet Otu Udosen, Councillor, Nung Ukpong
Obong Paulinus Denis Asikpo, Councillor, Nung Abasi Imo
Obong Francis Effiong Nyong, Councillor, Nung Essang
Pastor Mathias Asuquo, Councillor, Nung Okpo
Obong Godwin Sam Inyang, Councillor, Nung Ukpong
Mfon Obong Obong, Councillor, Nung Abasi Imo
Ibong Asuquo Udoeyop, Councillor, Nung Udo Akpakpan
Pius Okon, Youth President
Elder Ekanem Akpan, Resident
Cletus Ime Paul, Youth
Kubiat John Essien, Youth
Emmanuel P. Okon
Youth
Tony Effiong Nyong
Youth
Isaac Okon Udo
Youth
Comrade Ekemini Ekpe Jonah
Chairman, Association of Motorcyclists
Comrade Christian Edmond
Secretary, Association of Motorcyclists
Charles Christopher Edet
Motorcyclist
Christian Edmond Knight
Motorcyclist
Ekemini Ekpe Idiok
Motorcyclist
Isaiah Usen Sam
Motorcyclist
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