You can’t wish away our legacies – Akwa Ibom CSOs slam opposing groups

Following the statement issued by some Civil Society Organisations in Akwa Ibom, challenging the legality and legitimacy of the umbrella body, Civil Society Organisations Forum in the state, the latter has insisted that those dissenting groups are not their members and have no locus standi to speak for or about the Forum.

Recall that the Director of Center for Human Rights and Accountability Network, CHRAN, Franklyn Isong and the convener of Akwa Ibom Human Rights Community, AKHRC, Clifford Thomas alongside few others, at a press conference on Friday, said they do not recognize such Forum and called on its chairman, Harry Udoh to stop parading himself as Chairman of a “non-existent forum.”

However, the Forum, in a statement endorsed by the Board of Trustee members, Secretary, Chairman as well as over forty registered members explained that Akwa Ibom State Civil Society Organizations Forum was established in 2008 and duly registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC, in 2014 as the Guild of Community Development Advocates in Akwa Ibom State, AKGCODA.

They said the Forum was recognized as part of the sub-national CSO networks operating across 35 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, adding that membership of the Forum are open to development-focused civil society organizations in the state and are guided by a code of conduct and shared ethical standards.

The forum said since inception, it had worked collectively with its members to advance development in Akwa Ibom State while respecting the independence of other civil society organizations.

While stressing that Harry Udoh remains its chairman, the forum noted that members had over the years attracted several million dollars’ worth of socio-economic development interventions from various donor agencies and development partners to Akwa Ibom State.

The statement listed some eminent persons in the forum to include: Dr. Nsekpong Udoh, Prof. Selina Ekpo, Mr. Idem Udoekong, and the Late Obonganwan Imo Isemin of blessed memory, alongside Mr. Harry Udoh. The current Board of Trustees are Dr. Uduak Akpan, Mr. Tijah-Bolton Akpan, Mrs. Emem Akpan Nkereuwem, Barr. Ekaette Anwana, Dr. Ini Adiakpan, Dr.Nsekpong Udoh, and Mr. Harry Udoh.

The forum urged government and the public to disregard the said publications and continue to work with its leadership stressing, “their attempt to wish away our legacies can only be interpreted as an act of mischief.