By Akakan Umoh
The crisis rocking the Midim Clan headship in Abak Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State looks like a chronic wound following an alleged use of traditional injunction to resolve the dispute.
Though Obong Paul Thompson Ebong is the Clan Head of Midim, the aggrieved party is yet to accept him, an action seen to hamper peaceful resolution over occupier of the stool.
The crisis came to head during Eka Midim Day held at St. Michael Primary School, Midim on Thursday, December 26, 2024, when a prominent son of the clan (name withheld) was alleged to have dispatched a traditional injunction to the Governor.
In a viral video seen by Straightnews, the prominent son in front of some Chiefs is seen to have spoken before he sent a traditional injunction popularly called Ajei to Governor Umo Eno to wade in and resolve the purported ‘dispute’ to avoid the crisis ebbing.
The lingering ‘war’ is worsened as the two kinsman-royal fathers: the Clan Head of Midim Clan, Obong Paul Thompson Ebong and the Chairman of Eka Midim Clan, Eteidung Saviour Ebong Abatai are piqued against each other and fight is tensed by accusations of imposition, name calling, strife, tonnes of denials and strife.
While the Clan Head accused aggrieved party led by Professor Nkereuwem Etukudoh of sending a traditional injunction to the Governor, the Chairman of Eka Midim Clan Council argued that a formal message was sent, requesting the Governor to set up a panel of enquiry to uncover a false memo aimed at downplaying the traditional authority of the area.
However, in a petition entitled: Clan Head Condemns Traditional Injunction on Gov Umo Eno, the Clan Head of Midim Clan in Abak Local Government Area, His Highness, Chief Paul Thompson Ebong, condemned in totality the video in which a traditional injunction was alleged to have been sent to the State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, by one Prof. Nkereuwem Etukudoh.
The Mail newspaper had reported that “The Royal Father, who expressed displeasure over the development, told Journalists that the act, said to have been committed during the 2024 end-of-year carnival and sixth edition tagged: Eka Midim Day, at St. Michael Primary School, Midim on Boxing Day, was done without the knowledge and approval of the Clan Council which he is the head nor was the ceremony ordered by him.
According to the monarch, Prof. Etukudoh, who allegedly sponsored the purported ceremony, did it in collaboration with some village heads in the area whom he has been inducing with money to work against constituted authorities in the area.
Describing the act as being alien to Annang land, Chief Ebong noted that even the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Elder Udeme Otong, who was represented , is said to have been piqued when he later learnt what the organizers were doing and equally frowned at such action.
The Royal father described it as a taboo, diabolic, an act of disrespect and desecration of the office of the Governor and the personality of the Governor himself as a renowned and respected Pastor that is doing well for Akwa Ibom people.
His words, “For him to send an injunction to our Governor is something that we totally condemn and abhor.
“That’s why I have come out to apologise to the Governor that the man ( Prof Nkereuwem Etukudoh), is not a titled Chief and does not belong to the traditional Rulers Council nor is he a clan council member.
“I as the clan Head have not authorized him, the youths have not, they only came to me and pleaded that I should apologise to the Governor and the Speaker of the State House of Assembly on their behalf because it is not Midim that has mandated him to embark on this lonely and dangerous mission.”
The Royal father who used the opportunity to commend the Governor for all he has done for Midim Clan including road construction, building of compassionate homes for widows, appointment of indigenes of the area to position of authority, admitted that well-meaning people of the clan cannot and will never bite the finger that is feeding them.
He advised the people not to take laws into their hands but be law abiding and support the Governor and his Arise Agenda Philosophy to succeed.
His claims are flawed- Abatai alleges
In a press release of January 2, 2025, signed by Eteidung Saviour Ebong Abatai, Chairman of Eka Midim Clan Council, debunked the claims.
The release entitled: Clarification Regarding Allegations by Mr. Paul Thompson Ebong, said “The Eka Midim clan has recently come to the attention of certain misleading and unfounded allegations made by Mr. Paul Thompson Ebong, who falsely claims that the Eka Midim in Abak Local Government Area sent a traditional injunction to the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno.”
According to Abatai, “We are issuing this statement to correct the record and protect the integrity of the Governor, as well as uphold the truth.
“Eka Midim is a well-respected, law-abiding socio-cultural organization dedicated to promoting the welfare and unity of our community. Our Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Professor Nkereuwem Etukudoh, is a distinguished academic and national asset committed to service and traditional values. It is disheartening that certain individuals, driven by personal motives, are attempting to mislead the public.”
He stated “We would like to clarify that neither the Governor nor the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Frank Archibong, has ever received any traditional injunction from the Eka Midim clan.
“According to our customary laws, any traditional injunction must be approved by legitimate traditional rulers who adhere to the ethics of our clan. Any claim of such an injunction is a fabrication, likely the work of those who have manipulated records and signatures for their own benefit.
“Mr. Paul Thompson Ebong, who has self-identified as the Clan Head of Midim, is not a legitimate nor legally family or village head. His selection remains unresolved by the Federal High Court in Abak, and his claims are based on flawed assertions.
“The legitimate village head, as per the selection process, is Chief Ime Thompson Ebong who was vehemently chosen by the people. Furthermore, those who attempted to sabotage this process, through baseless criminal charges against Chief Ime, failed to succeed as the case was dismissed by the judiciary.”
”The Midim clan is composed of seventeen villages, and only ten of them were certified at the time of the selection. Eteidung Dr. Sylvester Okokon Ibanga emerged as the authentic clan head with the highest votes, and his selection was supported by the majority of village heads. Mr. Ebong, residing in Uruk Essiet, abstained from voting because he was not qualified due to ongoing legal disputes.
”Currently, the Midim Clan Council comprises fifteen certified village heads, with thirteen in full support of Eteidung Dr. Sylvester Ibanga’s selection.
”t is unfortunate that certain individuals, in a desperate attempt to serve their interests, should do well to establish a separate clan to accommodate Mr. Paul Thompson Ebong. However, the Midim people’s culture and traditions will not be desecrated, and we trust that the truth will prevail.
”Additionally, we affirm that no traditional injunction was sent to the Governor. What was sent was a formal message requesting the Governor to establish an inquiry into the fraudulent actions involving the creation of false memo and the attempt to undermine the legitimate traditional authority. This matter involves key individuals, including the Paramount Ruler of Abak, HRM Sylvester Saviour Udofia, Secretary Udeme Umoren, and Mr. Emmanuel Umotuen. We call for their immediate investigation, suspension, and a proper resolution of this issue.
”Mr. Paul Ebong has made defamatory remarks about Professor Nkereuwem Etukudoh, whose distinguished political and community service, including support for key leaders such as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and Governor Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, is well known and cannot be overemphasized. It is regrettable that Mr. Ebong seeks to tarnish the reputation of a respected leader for personal gain and fraudulent mission.
”We wish to remind all involved that further divisive actions or false accusations will not be tolerated, and the clan council reserves the right to take traditional action if necessary.
”To this end, we reaffirm our full support for Governor Pastor Umo Bassey Eno. His commitment to peace, unity, and the development of Akwa Ibom State is unwavering, and we stand with him in his service to the people. We call on all those involved in creating unnecessary discord to cease these actions, as there is a higher power that will uphold justice for the Midim people.
”We, therefore, call on members of the public to distance themselves from the malicious and defamatory publication as there’s no iotas of truth except that of blackmail, blasphemous and scandalous from the perpetuators.”
