Effiat women protest imposition of clan head ... Cry out to Udom Emmanuel, wife for intervention ... stage peaceful protest half-naked

Effiat clan women in Mbo Local Government, last weekend defied the heavy downpour to stage a peaceful protest to the palace of their clan head-elect in Ibuot Utan, demanding the withdrawal of certificate of recognition allegedly given to one Chief Asukwo Okon Okpo in the area.

According to the women who numbered over 200, and clothed in their braziers and knickers, the wrongful presentation of certificate of recognition to some other person other than the duly selected and properly presented clan head of Effiat Obong Mathias Okon Nta who was in accordance with the Edict of Akwa Ibom Traditional Rulers now in use was unacceptable to them.

The women, led by their leader, Obong Anwana Atim Bassey Okon Akpateh and the deputy women leader in Effiat Clan, Madam Nyong Etim Okpo while extolling the excellent rulership qualities of their only Clan head-elect Obong Mathias Okon Nta expressed surprise that as they were all expecting to rejoice and celebrate the merited recognition of the royal father who they stressed had no contender, but that they were shocked to be informed that the certificate has been unjustly handed over to one Asukwo Okon Okpo who never contested for the vacant stool of Effiat Clan-headship.

The women who were received and pacified by the Secretary of Effiat Clan Council of Chiefs, Prince Godwin Okon Bassey to drop their placards and go home due to the pathetic mode of dressing however assured the women that their protests would be channelled to appropriate quarters.

Another prominent activist in the area and special adviser to Effiat Clan Council of Chiefs Akparawa (Elder) Obong ette Edet Okon pleaded with the aggrieved women who earlier swore to remain half-dressed for press cameramen to snap them similarly assured the women that their protest could be publicised without their bodies so exposed.

Speaking earlier, Obonganwan Atim Bassey Okon Akpateh and her Vice, Madam Nyong Etim Okon passionately appealed to the new governor Deacon Udom, Emmanuel, and his wife Deaconess Martha, to come to the aid of the Effiat women by addressed squarely the imposition and injustice which they claim was too  glaring.

Some of the Placards dropped by the Effiat Clan women at the palace of the clan head-elect read:
1. Obong Mathias Okon Nta is the Only Duly Selected, Presented Clan Head of Effiat.
2.  MBO TRC Speak Out! Your Chairman, Members Received Obong Mathias Okon Nta as Effiat Clan Head-elect.
3. Your Excellency Our New Government Pls (sic) Look Into This INJUSTICE
4.We Effiat Clan Women In Mbo LGA Total Reject the Imposition of Asukwo Okon Okpo as Clan Head of Effiat.
5. Obong Mathias Okon Nta ruled us well, fought sea piracy in Effiat waters; we want him as Clan Head.
6. This is Miscarriage of JUSTICE; this is against popular wishes of Effiat Clan people.
7. We the Mothers in Effiat Don’t want Asukwo Okon Okpo as Clan Head.
8. Asukwo Okon Okpo was never Selected nor presented to Mbo TRC as Clan Head-elect.
9. How and why was Asukwo Okon  Okpo given Certificate of Recognition through the backdoor as Clan Head of Effiat ?
10. Pls(sic) Deacon Udom Emmanuel our dear new Governor, Kindly give us Justice!
11. Eka Esit Mbom 2, Deaconess Martha Udom Emmanuel Pls(sic) help us as you predecessor, Mma Unwma Akpabio and God’s will Bless you!