By CrossRiverWatch Admin
The Cross River State House of Assembly has dismissed the Chairman of the State Traditional Rulers Council, His Royal Majesty, Etinyin Okon Edet, on Tuesday. The dismissal was due to Edet’s tenure extending from the designated 2 years to an unapproved 10 years.
This decision was reached unanimously by the House in response to a Matter of Urgent Public Importance that highlighted the ongoing crisis within the State Traditional Rulers Council.
The motion was introduced by Hon. Sylvester Agabi, the Deputy Speaker and Member representing the Obudu State Constituency.
The House has urged the State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, to promptly declare the Chairman’s position vacant and appoint a new leader. The lawmakers emphasized that the current chairman’s tenure had far exceeded the lawful two-year limit, reaching over a decade.
The assembly noted that the deposed Chairman had been embroiled in a conflict with the Governor’s Special Adviser on Chieftaincy Matters. It was also highlighted that the Cross River State Traditional Rulers Council Law of 2009 (Section 1, Subsection 4, Paragraph 1) mandates a rotation of the office every two years without provision for tenure renewal.
During the motion, Honorable Agabi criticized the situation, stating that Etinyin Okon Edet’s prolonged tenure was unfair to the Northern and Central Senatorial Districts, describing it as “repugnant to natural justice.”
Other Members echoed his sentiments, pointing out that the Traditional Rulers Council Law does not allow for the renewal of the two-year term. They also condemned Etinyin Okon Edet’s interference with the Special Adviser to Governor Otu on Chieftaincy Matters.
Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem emphasized the importance of adhering to the state’s laws. He asserted that “the Laws of the State must be respected.”
Ayambem further declared that the House will enforce the mandated rotation of the Chairman’s office as per the law. He called on Governor Senator Bassey Edet Otu to declare the seat vacant and appoint a new Chairman from another Senatorial District to ensure peace and justice.
Leave feedback about this