Governor Bassey Edet Otu on Monday appealed for peace in Yakurr Local Government Area and warned that the state government would withdraw certificates of recognition from traditional rulers whose domains slide into disorder. He spoke at the 2026 Leboku International New Yam Festival at Ugep Peace Stadium, where he said the recent communal violence between Ugep and Idomi had dampened the celebration.
Otu described the clashes as a “show of shame” and said the state government would not continue to recognize any camp or faction that refuses to unite around a common representative. He also told royal fathers, clan heads and other traditional authorities to uphold peace, custom and tradition in their domains or risk losing government recognition.
The governor said cancelling Leboku would have undermined the festival’s core purpose of promoting harmony among the Yakurr people, even though the atmosphere this year was affected by the loss of lives in the conflict. His remarks came against the backdrop of earlier state interventions, including curfews imposed to calm tensions between Ugep and Idomi over a land dispute.
Yakurr Local Government Chairman, Chief Inyang Yibala Igri, also urged residents to choose development over destruction and said the festival should renew commitment to peace and prosperity.
The Obol Lopon of Ugep, HRM Obol Ufem Ubana, in his remarks, appealed for a peaceful resolution of lingering chieftaincy tensions in Agoi-Ibami and asked the governor to help extend broadcasting coverage to Yakurr communities.
The state government used the festival to restate its support for agriculture, tourism and community development, with Governor Otu linking Leboku to his administration’s “green economic revolution.”
