Ekid Women and Youths Demand Release of Governor's Critic

Women and youths from the Ekid ethnic group protested on Wednesday in Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. They called for the release of social media user and activist, Godsown Udoito, who has been in custody for over five months. She was arrested due to comments made online about Governor Umo Eno and his family.

The protesters came from both Eket and Esit Eket local government areas. They marched through the main streets of Eket, starting at Atabong Bridge and finishing at the town centre.

They carried placards and sang songs to show solidarity. The demonstrators urged Mr Eno to help secure Ms Udoito's release ahead of a court hearing scheduled for Thursday.

Some of the placards had messages like: "Governor Umo Eno, you are our father, end the detention of Princess Godsown Udoito now," "She lost her father while in detention," "She has apologised, don’t write apology for her," "Stop harassing Ekid voices, release Princess Godsown Udoito now," and "Release her so she can bury her father."

Other signs read “Ekid people stand united: Release our daughter, Princess Udoito” and “Ekid youths demand the unconditional release of Princess Udoito.” At one moment during the protest, a woman named Mary knelt on the road and appealed to the governor in the local language.

“Please, please, Ekid people have begged. Our governor, please release princess from detention and draw her closer to yourself. She has heard you. She is your child. No one discards a child,” she said.

Peter Bassey, the protest leader and online broadcaster, spoke to PREMIUM TIMES during the event. He acknowledged that Ms Udoito may have gone too far with her comments about the governor.

But he insisted that she had already said sorry and should not still be in jail. “Princess Godsown Udoito may have erred by insulting the governor, but she has apologised. She has remained in prison custody for over five months despite that apology,” Mr Bassey said.

He added that the protesters were reacting to recent comments from the governor. These comments suggested that an apology might help settle the issue. “Our appeal is for the governor to ensure that she regains her freedom. The matter comes up in court tomorrow, and we believe this issue has lingered for too long,” he said.

During a recent media event, the governor seemed to criticize those advising Ms Udoito against apologising. “Instead of his lawyers to tell her that what she has done is wrong, tell him sorry because what you did, there is evidence. They tell her no, don’t say it. We will bring you out by force. We will organise a protest. Protest! I am not pursuing it as governor. I am pursuing it as Umo Eno,” Mr Eno said.

The protesters argued that since Ms Udoito had apologised, there was no reason for her to stay in detention. They urged the governor to resolve the matter peacefully. This protest came weeks after Mr Eno defended his choice to seek legal action over comments allegedly made by Ms Udoito online.

During the media briefing, the governor said the issue was not about criticism of him but about comments made about his family. “It is not about going to the internet to curse my parents,” Mr Eno said. “I have the right to defend and protect myself. I am also a citizen. The law is not meant only for the low. I am also a citizen.”

PREMIUM TIMES has not seen the specific post said to insult the governor’s family. However, it was reported that Ms Udoito, who is from Ekid, used her Facebook page to oppose the state government’s plans to take over a disputed forest reserve called Stubbs creek. Both her people and the Ibeno people claim ownership of it.

The governor said he started the legal process in his personal capacity, not as governor. “Protest! I am not pursuing it as governor. I am pursuing it as Umo Eno. You can’t impugn on my person and insult my family,” he said.

Mr Eno also said he would let the courts handle the case and would not interfere with legal processes. The case involving Ms Udoito has sparked discussion in Akwa Ibom, especially among political watchers and social media users who are concerned about her long detention.

PREMIUM TIMES previously reported that Ekid leaders warned that Ms Udoito’s arrest could increase tensions over the forest reserve issue. The matter has also attracted much public interest since reports emerged that Ms Udoito lost her father while in custody. This issue was a key point during Wednesday’s protest.

As the case goes back to court today, Thursday, 18 June, everyone is eager to see if Ms Udoito will be released and if the calls for her freedom will help resolve the ongoing dispute.