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From Aniekan Aniekan, Calabar
The Cross River State governor Bassey Otu has condemned the recent communal violence between Ugep and Idomi communities, saying it dampened this year’s Leboku International New Yam Festival.
The governor threatened to withdraw certificates of recognition from traditional rulers whose domains slide into disorder.
Speaking at the 2026 Leboku celebration at Ugep Peace Stadium, Otu, who was represented by his deputy, Peter Odey described the clashes as a “show of shame” and warned that the state government would no longer recognize any camp or faction that refuses to unite around a common representative.
“The violence we witnessed between Ugep and Idomi is unacceptable. It is a show of shame that has robbed our people of the true spirit of Leboku,” the governor said.
He told royal fathers, clan heads and other traditional authorities to uphold peace, custom and tradition in their domains or risk losing government recognition.
Otu 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.
The governor’s remarks come against the backdrop of earlier state interventions over the persistent clashes in the area including curfews imposed to calm tensions between Ugep and Idomi over a lingering land dispute.
Yakurr Local Government Chairman, Chief Inyang Yibala Igri, also urged residents to choose development over destruction.
“The festival should renew our commitment to peace and prosperity. We cannot build with one hand and destroy with the other,” Igri said.
Obol Lopon of Ugep, HRM Obol Ufem Ubana, appealed for a peaceful resolution of lingering chieftaincy tensions in Agoi-Ibami.
He also asked the governor to help extend broadcasting coverage to Yakurr communities to promote the culture and unity of the people.
Highlights of the event included cultural displays, the symbolic presentation of new yam, and prayers for peace in Yakurr.
