Princess God’sown Udoito’s and the Egungun myth

Princess God’sown Udoito’s and the Egungun myth

By Osondu Ahirika

‘Egungun be careful, na express you de enter so o”

I chose to start this musing with the above warning call to caution popular in Nigeria.

To engage my sister, Princess Godstone Udoito.

I confess that I love her energy.

Since my attention was drawn to her daily videos criticising Governor Umo Eno, I have heard so much.

It is within her rights to freely express herself.

Even in the Supreme Court, minority judgments are cited, though not prevailing.

As in a democracy, the minority must have its say and the majority its way.

Through these prisms, I allow Princess Udoito to freely air her democratic franchise.

However, I would advise her to know where to draw the line.

For every outburst, activism or assertiveness, there’s a red line you don’t cross.

As our people say, when a handshake passes the elbow, it becomes a brawl.

I saw a video of Princess taking her protest against the purported marginalisation of the Ekid nation to another level.

Supposedly, invoking the gods of the land and casting a spell against the Governor Umo Eno-led administration.

I laughed.

Do we need reminding that Government and the gods are inseparable?

That reminded me of the sad fate of the Egungun masquerade in Yoruba folklore.

As the tale goes, development was spreading fast and had transformed the village into a metropolis.

Egungun, the local masquerade known for its unruly fierceness in chasing onlookers didn’t take note.

On this fateful day, Egungun had its periodic outing.

Unmindful of the fact that the village setting is no more, Egungun was dancing profusely and running wild.

Then the prompter playing the talking drum started singing

‘Egungun be careful, na express road you dey enter so’

Unfortunately, Egungun did not heed the warning call.

It ended in tears as a speeding vehicle knocked Egungun out of the spirit realm to tragic physical death.

I would love to reason with my sister, Princess God’s Own Udoito.

The attacks on the Akwa Ibom State Governor have crossed the line of decency.

His family, his privacy, his faith, his son-in-law, his business, and his ministry have all been breached.

The name-calling has been unprintable and endless.

Some of them, I can’t even repeat.

Then this disturbing video of bewitchment and casting a spell is so indecent.

I’m amused she wore tight-fitting swimming pants to interact with the gods.

Then I remembered, Ikan(our ancestors), and the gods would understand.

They should align with our Gen-Z steeze.

Maybe it is for content creation in this era of chasing monetisation on Facebook

Or perhaps it’s for clout chasing on Social media.

But whatever it is, every well-meaning and responsible citizen should discourage this chronic habitual abasement of the office of the Governor of Akwa Ibom State.

Governor Umo Eno has largely ignored the indignities he has been subjected to by some content creators with online videos.

Nevertheless, these people should now hearken to the Egungun call.

Apart from being the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Dr Umo Eno is a Pastor, father, and grandfather.

His age, status and office should be accorded deserving regard.

Princess Udoito may have valid reasons to disagree with his policies or programmes.

But seeking redress shouldn’t be sans decorum and decency.

We must not erode our social values of respect and honour to whom it is due on the altar of politics or personal idiosyncrasies.

The Ekid nation has well-structured leadership at various levels, traditional, religious, sociocultural and political.

Through them, and in collaboration, Princess Udoito can advance her grievances.

Doing otherwise and indulging fetishism is an overreach.

I come in Peace.