Odukpani Communal Crisis: Our Leaders Failed Us – Hon. Francis Asuquo

By Kelvin Ololo and Margaret Adado

Following the continuous communal clashes in neighbouring communities in Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River State, the member representing the constituency in the State House of Assembly Hon. Francis Asuquo has said that the continued warring befalling the Local Government is as the result of Leaders failure in proffering solutions in resolving the conflict.

Hon. Asuquo stated this while receiving Odukpani Leadership Academic Forum who were on a courtesy visit to his office to solicit his support on ways of restoring lasting peace, law and order in the affected areas.

He inferred: “These problems emanated since 1997 and we have not being able to find a lasting resolution to it. That is because the Communities are not doing what they were suppose to do. Our Leaders have failed us and if we don’t take it upon ourselves to resolve these impacts we will also fail the next generation because it is upon us to call those people who are going out to do this Mehem to stop or reveal them to Security agencies.” He however called on the people to desist from act of war and thanked the group for their move to installed peace.

On his part, the Leader of the group Mr. Kingsley Ikpeme revealed that not less than five Communities had being sacked from their homes and are now living as refugees in their own land, some taking refuge in fueling station.

He stressed that in restoring peace in the Local Government, the National Boundary Commission must look into issues of boundaries demarcation between the State and neighbouring States, provision of functional Mobil vehicles for security operative, establishment of Army base in the area and provision of camp for Internally Displaced Persons (IDP).

Ikpeme noted that the “Odukpani Communities currently facing crisis are Mbiabo/Obo-itiat, Ediong Ward, ldim Ndom, Atan Eki, Ekpene Eki, Obodo, Ndonwong, Afia lsong, Obiono, Asang Eniong.

“Asang Eniong is invaded by the people of Ito Idara in Akwa Ibom State, Ito/Idere,Ukwa by Isu Community in Abia State

Other members that spoke during the visit profess that it was time to stop carrying arms, desisting from violent act, get devour of individual and political differences and embrace peace.

Highlight of the occasion was presentation of fift card to the Law Maker.

See pictures below;