Cross River Assembly seeks sack of long-standing Traditional Rulers Council chairman

The Cross River State House of Assembly has adopted a resolution calling on the State Governor, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, to urgently terminate the appointment of His Royal Majesty, Barr Dr Etinyin Okon Edet, as Chairman of the Cross River State Traditional Rulers Council and appoint another person from a different senatorial district.

The House resolved this following a Matter of Urgent Public Importance on the alleged crisis in the State Traditional Rulers Council, sponsored by the Member representing Obudu State Constituency and Deputy Speaker of the House, Hon. Sylvester Agabi.

Leading the debate on the matter, Agabi noted that the office of the Chairman of the Traditional Rulers Council is tenured for two years.

He stressed that the Traditional Rulers Council was established by Edict No. 4 of 1978, which was later amended in 2009, adding that Section 1, Subsection 4, Paragraph 1 provides for a rotation of that office for a tenure of two years.

The lawmaker condemned the current situation where Etinyin Okon Edet has stayed in office for over 10 years, noting that it was to the detriment of both the Northern and Central Senatorial Districts, adding that this was repugnant to natural justice.

In their separate contributions, members observed that the Traditional Rulers Council Law did not provide for the renewal of the two-year tenure.

The lawmakers further recalled that HRH Uti J.D. Agba from the Northern Senatorial District had occupied the office for two years before handing over to HRH Eval Idaka from Abi in the Central Senatorial District, who died before the expiration of his two-year tenure.

They observed that, though Etinyin Okon Edet has done well, his continuous stay in office is unacceptable, adding that he should vacate the office for another person from another senatorial district.

The lawmakers also condemned how Etinyin Okon Edet allegedly infringed on the office of the Special Adviser to Governor Otu on Chieftaincy Affairs.

In his remarks, the Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, observed that the laws of the state must be respected, adding that the House will uphold the rotation of the office of the Chairman of the Traditional Rulers Council as stipulated by the law.

He stressed the need for the State Governor, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, to declare the seat vacant and appoint a new chairman from a different senatorial district in the interest of peace and justice.