Abuja: A culture and tradition enthusiast, Mr. Okon Offiong, has appealed to the Akwa Ibom government to reverse its ban on the Ekpo masquerade practice, arguing that the prohibition would strip the yuletide season of its cultural richness. Offiong made this appeal through a signed statement on Wednesday, emphasizing the deep emotional connection of the people to the Ekpo culture and the importance of its preservation.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Gov. Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom recently issued a directive to ban the Ekpo masquerade practice within the state. Offiong highlighted the widespread concern this directive has sparked among cultural custodians, traditionalists, and heritage lovers both locally and in the diaspora. He emphasized the emotional attachment to the tradition, describing the ban as a precursor to cultural extinction. Offiong noted that the Ekpo practice is integral to the cultural identity of the Ibibio, Annang, Oro, Obolo, and other groups in the South-East region.
Offiong argued that Ekpo represents a traditional institution and forms part of the intangible heritage of Akwa Ibom State. He expressed concerns that the prohibition constitutes an abuse of the sensitivities of its practitioners, projecting personal beliefs over the collective cultural identity of the people. He stressed that government decisions should reflect pluralism rather than personal creed, and that the ban appears to sideline rather than protect the rights and sentiments of traditional believers and cultural custodians.
He further pointed out the legal and international implications of the government’s decision, citing Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, which mandates the state to protect, preserve, and promote the culture of its people. Offiong argued that a complete ban on Ekpo contradicts this constitutional duty. He also referenced the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which guarantees citizens the right to participate in cultural life, and UNESCO’s Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, which encourages governments to preserve ancestral traditions.
Offiong lamented that the recent ban not only suppresses cultural identity but also undermines global commitments to heritage protection. He noted that festive seasons in Akwa Ibom have historically been marked by vibrant displays of Ekpo masquerades, attracting thousands of natives home during Christmas. For many in the diaspora, Ekpo serves as an emotional bridge reconnecting them with their roots. The ban is viewed by many as a joy-killer, stripping Christmas celebrations of cultural color and meaning.
He suggested that instead of banning the practice due to some unhealthy behaviors by certain individuals, the state should modify the practice and penalize those who misuse it to cause discomfort. Offiong acknowledged the government’s concerns over extortion, intimidation, and disruption by individuals hiding under Ekpo attire but argued that these issues do not justify the abolition of the entire cultural institution. He advocated for identifying, arresting, and prosecuting those who commit crimes under the guise of masquerade, rather than using their actions as grounds to terminate a centuries-old cultural practice.