Cross River Assembly seeks termination of tenure of Chairman Traditional Rulers Council

Following the tenure elongation of the present Chairman of the State Traditional Rulers Council, his Royal Majesty Etim Okon Edet the State Legislature has adopted a resolution calling on the State Governor, Senator Bassey Edet Otu to urgently terminate the appointment of His Royal Majesty, Barr Dr, Etinyin Okon Edet as Chairman, Cross River State Traditional Rulers Council and appoint another person from a different Senatorial District.

The House resolved 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.

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

He noted that the Traditional Rulers Council was established by Edict No. 4 of 1978 which was later amended in 2009 adding that section 1, sub 4, paragraph 1 provides for a rotation of that office for a tenure of 2 years.

The lawmakers condemned the current situation where Etinyin Okon Edet has stayed in office for over 10 years.

He noted that it was at 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 Oti J.D. Agba from the northern Senatorial District had occupied the office for two years before handing over HRH, Eval ldaka 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 marvellously well, his continuous stay in office is unacceptable adding that he should vacate the office for another person from another Senatorial District.

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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 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 different Senatorial Districts in the interest of peace and justice.