RismadarVoice Media, December 2, 2025
Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has rejected a motion seeking to stop the consumption and sale of dog meat across the state.
The motion, sponsored by the member representing Etinan State Constituency, Hon. Uduak Ekpoufot, failed to progress during Tuesday’s plenary after it received no seconder.
Hon. Ekpoufot had raised strong concerns over what he described as the inhumane slaughter of dogs, the unhygienic conditions in which the meat is often processed, and the serious public-health risks associated with its consumption.
According to him, methods used to kill dogs ranging from strangulation to blunt-force trauma cause severe animal suffering and fall below acceptable standards of humane treatment.
He further warned that poorly processed dog meat poses a health threat to consumers, exposing them to dangerous pathogens such as rabies, salmonella, trichinella and other parasites.
The lawmaker noted that several countries have imposed restrictions or outright bans on dog-meat trade due to similar safety concerns.
Despite his detailed presentation, the motion failed to meet the House’s procedural requirement of being seconded by another member.
With no support forthcoming, it automatically collapsed and was declared rejected by the Speaker.
With the development, the consumption and sale of dog meat in Akwa Ibom State remain unchanged, at least for now, despite the sponsor’s call for improved public-health safeguards and more humane treatment of animals.
