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SPOTLIGHTS
- Traditional Rulers Council Chairman removed due to tenure violation
- Edet accused of overstaying his two-year term
- Assembly calls on the governor to appoint a new chairman
From Aniekan Aniekan, Calabar
The Cross River State House of Assembly has adopted a resolution removing the current chairman of the state Traditional Rulers Council, His Royal Majesty, Etinyin Etim Okon Edet.
The assembly subsequently called on the State Governor, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, to urgently appoint a new chairman, as the current chairman had outstayed his tenure.
The House decision follows a resolution under Matters of Urgent Public Importance on the crisis in the State Traditional Rulers Council, sponsored by the Member representing Obudu State Constituency and Deputy Speaker of the House, Hon. Sylvester Agabi.
Agabi noted that the office of the Chairman of the Traditional Rulers Council has a two-year tenure, as clearly stated in law.
He stressed that the Traditional Rulers Council Law of 2009, Section 1(4)(1), provides for a rotation of the office for a tenure of two years.
The lawmaker condemned the situation in which Etinyin Okon Edet has remained 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.
The Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, observed that the laws of the state must be respected.
He emphasised that the House would uphold the rotation of the office of the Chairman of the Traditional Rulers Council as stipulated by law.
However, Etinyin Etim Okon Edet, who is also the Paramount Ruler of Bakassi Local Government Area, has yet to react to the resolution of the House.
Similarly, the state governor, as well as the Special Adviser to the Governor on Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Frank Edet, have not formally responded.
