By Solomon OKPO
UYO, A civil society organization, COMPPART Foundation for Justice and Peacebuilding, has called on Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, to immediately suspend the proposed integration of youth leaders into the state’s security architecture pending a comprehensive review of the initiative.
In an open letter addressed to the Governor and dated June 23, 2026, the organization expressed support for youth participation in security matters but warned that implementing the policy without addressing critical structural and administrative concerns could generate avoidable conflicts and undermine its intended objectives.
The letter, signed by the Foundation’s Executive Director, Mr. Saviour Akpan, commended Governor Eno for his commitment to youth engagement, particularly following his recent meeting with youth presidents of gazetted villages at the Uyo Township Stadium.
However, the organization maintained that a careful and inclusive approach was necessary to ensure the initiative promotes peace, fairness, and sustainable community security.
Among the concerns raised was the exclusion of several communities that are not officially listed in the state’s gazette of recognized villages despite their long-standing existence before the creation of Akwa Ibom State in 1987.
According to the group, denying such communities representation in the emerging security structure could amount to exclusion from governance and participation in matters affecting their welfare.
The Foundation urged the state government to undertake a transparent verification and recognition process for omitted villages before proceeding with the integration programme.
The organization also highlighted grievances among some communities currently merged or “yoked” with other villages in the state’s administrative structure.
It noted that several of these communities have been seeking administrative separation due to perceived inequalities in leadership selection, resource distribution, and representation.
The group warned that placing such communities under the leadership of youth presidents from villages they consider dominant could further aggravate existing tensions and create fresh disputes.
COMPPART Foundation further expressed concern over possible tenure and succession crises within youth leadership structures across the state.
It observed that many youth presidents are approaching the end of their tenures under their respective constitutions and warned that assigning security responsibilities to current office holders without clearly defined tenure and transition guidelines could trigger leadership disputes and encourage attempts at tenure elongation.
The organization also questioned the timing of the proposed reform, noting that major security initiatives require clearly defined objectives, training frameworks, funding mechanisms, accountability measures, and sustainability plans.
It cautioned that introducing the programme close to the 2027 general elections could create public perceptions of political motivations unless the government provides a detailed policy framework.
Consequently, the Foundation recommended that full implementation of the programme be deferred until after the 2027 elections, allowing sufficient time for the development of a comprehensive white paper outlining operational guidelines, budgetary provisions, oversight structures, and sustainability measures.
As part of its demands, the organization called for the immediate suspension of the current integration process, the establishment of a multi-stakeholder committee to review implementation modalities, and the publication of a clear roadmap detailing eligibility requirements, training procedures, accountability mechanisms, and exit strategies.
The proposed committee, it said, should include traditional rulers, civil society organizations, officials of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, representatives of omitted and yoked villages, as well as stakeholders representing women, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups.
The Foundation also advocated the recruitment and deployment of 62 qualified lawyers to the traditional rulers’ councils across the state’s 31 local government areas to provide legal guidance and help prevent avoidable community conflicts arising from ignorance of the law.
While reaffirming its long-standing support for community-oriented policing and youth inclusion in security matters, the COMPPART Foundation stressed that security reforms must be guided by transparency, inclusiveness, legality, and public trust.
The organization said it remains available to provide technical support to the government and other stakeholders in developing a framework that promotes justice, peace, and unity across Akwa Ibom State.
Copies of the letter were forwarded to the Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, the State Chief Judge, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, the Commissioner for Internal Security and Waterways, the Commissioner of Police, the Director of the State Security Service, the Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, and the media.
