Governor Umo Eno’s decision to ban the public display of Ekpo masquerades in Akwa Ibom State has continued to spark widespread criticism, with cultural groups, civil society organisations and legal practitioners describing the move as an attack on tradition and an overreach of executive authority.
The controversy began on November 30, when the governor announced the ban, citing rising security concerns. The directive was later reinforced through an Executive Order, triggering stronger reactions from across the state.
According to the state government, the decision was informed by intelligence reports indicating that criminals had been exploiting masquerade displays as cover to harass, intimidate and assault members of the public. Acting on the order, the Akwa Ibom State Police Command arrested several individuals accused of violating the ban.
The Commissioner of Police, Baba Mohammed Azare, said the arrests followed a distress call from a resident who alleged that armed masquerades attacked passers-by, including members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
Defending the Executive Order, Governor Eno stated that masquerade activities had increasingly become a nuisance and posed serious security risks, particularly along major highways. While acknowledging Ekpo as a cultural heritage, the governor stressed that cultural practices must not infringe on public safety or the rights of others.
However, the ban has attracted strong opposition from cultural stakeholders and members of the public, who insist that public display is a fundamental aspect of the Ekpo tradition among the Ibibio, Annang and Efik communities.
Tensions escalated last week when a masquerade identified as David Effiong was arraigned before Magistrate Court 1 in Uyo on charges bordering on disturbance of public peace and terrorism-related offences. Effiong appeared in court dressed in full masquerade regalia.
At the hearing, human rights lawyer Ekom Nwoko, who represented the defendant pro bono, argued that the charges did not meet the legal requirements for remand. He urged the court to consider the cultural significance of Ekpo in assessing the case.
In her ruling, the Chief Magistrate granted Effiong bail and directed the police to file a formal charge, describing the remand application as inappropriate given the nature of the alleged offences. The matter was adjourned to December 19, 2025, for further hearing.
Following the court’s decision, public criticism of the ban intensified. Public affairs analyst, Owei Lakemfa, faulted the government for criminalising an entire cultural practice rather than addressing specific acts of misconduct, describing the approach as discriminatory.
Other critics, including activists Assam Uwana and Zik Gbemre, argued that the governor should have engaged traditional institutions and masquerade groups to regulate excesses instead of imposing a blanket ban through an Executive Order.
They warned that the policy could heighten public discontent and expose the state government to prolonged legal disputes and cultural resistance.
Despite the growing opposition, the Akwa Ibom State Government has insisted that the ban remains in force, maintaining that it is a necessary step to ensure public safety and preserve law and order across the state
