13/05/2026
Idomi-Ugep Conflict: A Balacing Narrative (Part One)
It is sad and unsettling to read the narrative painted by our respected Elderstatesman (Obono Obla Esq) dismissing the recent Idomi-Ugep conflict as:
"a conflict arising majorly from chieftaincy tussle between the two Royal fathers but WRAPPED in land or boundary disputes."
Before going forward, I like to raise Pertinent questions to Barr Obono Obla, and to all well meaning persons, for careful examination.
1. If the present conflict is basically a chieftaincy issue, then:
* what did the Chief Security adviser to the governor, Gen. Obono (Rtd), go to do at Yekau-yekau (a place where part of Idomi and Ugep are having boundary disputes)?
It is true that from late 2025 to April, 2026, the CSA has invited representatives from Ugep and Idomi to that place, about twice or more to see if he can help resolve the boundary issue. So the question here is:
* Did he visit the place to settle a chieftaincy matter in the bush or a land dispute?
* When the CSA with the team used a bamboo to measure the dimension of the disputed area, in April, and awarded portions to the 2 communities, was he measuring land in dispute, or was he measuring the length of the chieftaincy beef between the 2 Royal fathers?
* When The Paramount Ruler, during a mass meeting at Ugep and in various fora, spoke publicly that Ugep has no boundary with Idomi but with Agoi, was he referring to his chieftaincy beef with the Royal father in Idomi, or making bold claims to land boundaries? How do these two issues relate in this context?
* When The Onun Ekor of Ugep led a team of Boys to destroy new and old farms and crops of Idomi people, within and beyond the disputed areas, was he settling the chieftaincy crises between the 2 Royal fathers or was he trying to execute the task or mandate given him by his Principal (The Paramount Ruler)?
Remember that in March 2026, when he (the Onun Ekor) was coronated, the Paramount Ruler gave him a mandate to look for Ugep's boundary with Agoi. This task, the Onun Ekor said, was a task that must be fulfilled. So his commencement of destruction of farm lands in Idomi was the beginning of his ex*****on of his principal's mandate.
* How do you dismiss this as mere chieftaincy crisis, and not call it "Attempts towards land grabbing" which is more befitting?
* When an Idomi Police officer was publicly Matchetted by a group of Ugep guys, on his way from work, on Tuesday, just after an interface between the Deputy Governor and the 2 Royal fathers, were they Matchetting him to settle the chieftaincy tussle between the 2 Royal fathers, or what?
These questions are out for careful examination by the public.
It pertinent to state here that if we want lasting peace between Idomi-Ugep, including other Yakurr communities that are usually embroiled in conflict, we don't need to gloss over this matter. We rather need to deal with issues with sincerity of purpose.
Let Elders of the land, within and without wear their Revered Caps and look the Paramount Ruler in the face, and tell him to sit up and represent Kekurr well. Because for me, He is the architect of the Present crisis and there are no 2 ways about it.
Let the government, use this conflict and give a broad based attention to our conflictogenic situation in Yakurr because it paints a real bad image of us as a people.
The truth may be bitter, but let's learn to say it when we find ourselves at the brinks, especially when we stand to lose so much to lies and distortion of facts.
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