Akwa Ibom House of Assembly members abandoned their colleague over a motion seeking to prohibit the consumption and sale of dog meat in the state.
The motion, sponsored by Uduak Ekpoufot, the member representing Etinan State Constituency, failed to secure a win during plenary on Tuesday after it received no seconder — a procedural requirement before a legislative debate.
Ekpoufot, an Engineer had moved the motion expecting his colleagues to support him, but he was left standing alone and prancing his eyes all over the house for a seconder, but was dazed and confused that nobody supported the motion that sounded strange and unpopular.
Related news: Beyond Cult Groups’ Ban
He had urged the House to consider the public health implications associated with dog meat consumption, warning that unhygienic slaughter practices expose consumers to rabies, salmonella, trichinella and other pathogens.
The Assemblyman also described the killing methods used in the trade as inhumane.
Since no lawmaker supported the motion, the speaker was forced to rule that it was rejected.
Reactions by people
The rejection of the motion has drawn mixed reactions across social media, particularly Facebook.
Some residents mocked the proposal, while others questioned the legislator’s priorities.
“How can a lawmaker, amid numerous challenges facing Akwa Ibom people, prioritise sponsoring a motion to ban the consumption of dog meat?” Vincent Aluu wrote on Facebook.
“Kudos to the Akwa Ibom House of Assembly for rejecting the motion sponsored by Hon. Uduak Ekpoufot, representing Etinan State Constituency.
“As Chairman of the House committee on ICT, he should focus on sponsoring bills and motions on cybersecurity and ICT, rather than interfering with local culinary traditions. Imagine the audacity,” Mr Aluu stated.
David David wrote ‘‘Everybody moves better motion, a reach una turn una come make we no dey chop dog again. God dey.’’
Peter Okuk reacted ‘‘Please, allow us to enjoy dog meat in peace.’’
Ekwere Iby commented ‘‘Kai walai my brother this one dent our image o’’
Unyime Ekwere noted ‘’One person idea no concern the whole local government area’’
Samuel Abasi-ekong Abasiekong, wrote ‘‘Nsuto Mkpo. Thank God this member is not from my constituency.’’
Dog meat consumption debate
Dog meat consumption remains widespread in several parts of Nigeria. In Ibeno and Oron in Akwa Ibom, where dogs were stolen and slaughtered for food, including a nursing mother dog whose puppies were left without care.
Although Akwa Ibom is popularly associated with dog-meat consumption, Mr Eniang ranked Nike in Enugu State as the highest consumer, followed by Plateau State and then Akwa Ibom.
It is confirmed in Enugu confirmed the claim, noting that many residents in Nike believe dog meat has medicinal benefits.
Mr Eniang argued that banning dog meat in Nigeria would be impractical, citing economic hardship and limited access to other protein sources like fish and poultry. According to him, enforcement would fail unless the government provides alternatives.
Countries that ban dog consumption
Research has shown that some countries have banned the slaughtering and consumption of dog meat
Taiwan is the first in Asia to have done so.
Under its 2014 Animal-welfare law, trading and consuming dog (and cat) meat is prohibited in Thailand.
In Singapore, sale of dog meat is banned.
In Philippines, dog meat trade has been illegal under animal-welfare and anti-rabies laws — although enforcement remains a challenge.
As of 9 January 2024, South Korea’s parliament passed a law banning production, slaughter, and sale of dog meat; the ban becomes fully effective by 2027.South Korea
Some cities in China — e.g. Shenzhen and Zhuhai have banned the dog (and cat) meat trade.
Arguments for dog consumption
These points reflect arguments made by cultures or communities where dog meat has traditionally been consumed.
Cultural tradition, protein source in resource-limited areas, belief in medicinal or health benefits (not scientifically proven), economic reasons for some sellers are arguments for the ban.
However, reasons for ban include animal welfare concerns, public health risks, rabies transmission (from handling or slaughtering infected dogs and other zoonotic diseases (e.g., cholera, trichinellosis), ethical and moral issues, dog theft, illegal trade, damage to international reputation, shift in cultural values as well as environmental concerns.
Despite the arguments, some people still question the motive behind the motion when Etinan like any other local government area in Akwa Ibom is bedevilled by many challenges such as poverty among the rural dwellers, poor road network, dilapidated public primary and secondary schools, epileptic electricity, and lack of pipe-borne water supply, among others.
