The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has dismissed a motion to criminalise the sale and consumption of dog meat in the state after the bill failed to secure a seconder, a procedural requirement for legislation to proceed.
The motion had been introduced by Uduak Ekpoufot, the lawmaker representing Etinan State Constituency, who argued that the practice involves cruel and inhumane treatment of dogs, poses serious public health risks such as rabies and salmonella, and happens under unhygienic conditions.
Despite the public-health concerns raised, none of the other 25 members supported the motion; it lacked a seconder and was formally rejected, leaving dog-meat consumption legal and unregulated in the state at least for now.
Dog meat remains a widely consumed delicacy in Akwa Ibom and surrounding regions, often sold in roadside eateries or local “bukas.” The rejection of the motion suggests lawmakers prioritized cultural practices and local dietary preferences over proposed regulation, even in the face of health and animal-welfare arguments.
The decision has already sparked public debate: some residents and animal-welfare advocates voiced disappointment, lamenting that potential health hazards have been ignored; others welcomed the outcome, citing tradition and personal choice as reasons to maintain the status quo.
