By Aniefiok Christopher
The Center for Human Rights and Accountability Network (CHRAN) has expressed concern that its advocacy for grassroots development and good governance through the local government administration appears not to have yielded sufficient result.
The Director of CHRAN, Otuekong Franklyn Isong made this position known yesterday during a Press Conference in Uyo to summarize the activities of the organization for the year 2025 noted that most local government councils have become poverty centers due to lack of development and non-provision of public infrastructure.
While commending the Governor of the State, who had at different fora, asserted that his administration has not touched the monthly federal allocations accruable to the 31 local governments Akwa Ibom, the Center called on Pastor Umo Eno to embark on a tour of the 31 local government areas in 2026, to ascertain how these humongous funds are used by the council chairmen and assess their performance in their councils, including to have firsthand information if the council chairmen are residing in their local government.
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On the restriction of Ekpo Masquerade in Akwa Ibom State, he endorsed the directive to checkmate criminal elements who have hijacked Ekpo culture to foment trouble in the land.
Listing instances within Uyo, Ibesikpo Asutan and Uruan where Ekpo initiates had hidden under the display of the cultural activities to harm, Isong said it was appropriate for the State Government to regulate the activities of the Masquerade to prevent a breakdown of law and order in the land.
Reviewing its activities within the year, the CHRAN boss said he was appalled that despite the directive by the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno to the Ministry of Works and Fire Services and other relevant agencies since October, 2025, that potholes be cleared and road repairs carried out on roads across the State, that no action has been taken on the matter till date.
Isong listed other activities of the organization in 2025 to include an advocacy to ensure timely evacuation of Waste in Uyo Metropolis, tour of projects executed by public office holders as well as organizations and the engaging of the State Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare on the nationwide enforcement of the vehicle Tinted Glass Permit in the face of the ongoing litigation between the Nigerian Bar Association and the Nigerian Police Force on the matter.
“It is our Center’s position that once a matter is in court, all parties should stay action on the subject matter before the Court. We believe as a responsible law enforcement agency, the Nigerian Police Force will not take any action that will affect the subject matter before the court” he concluded.
Speaking further on the other activities of CHRAN in 2025, Isong said “the Center notes with satisfaction that the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno had during the Akwa Ibom State Executive Council Meeting of Monday, 13th October, 2025, approved the upgrading of the College to Akwa Ibom State University of Education, Afaha Nsit in order to strengthen teachers’ education and human capital development in the State.”
Recall that CHRAN had earlier in the year, advocated for the upgrading of the Akwa Ibom State College of Education, Afaha Nsit, Nsit Ibom, to the Akwa Ibom State University of Education, Afaha Nsit.
The organization also listed regular engagements with law enforcement agencies, demand for accountability from state and National Assembly Lawmakers, among other activities it successfully carried out in from January 2025 till date.
