By; PATRICK TITUS, Uyo
The Akwa Ibom State traditional Rulers Council has been urged to adopt dialogue approach to settle ongoing crisis rocking the body in the state and communicate its decision to government.
The governor, Pastor Umo Eno who stated this, maintained that government would continue on its longstanding disposition of non-interference in traditional matters.
Governor Eno expressed worries at provocative statements, threats, and the employment of mild violence on officials of government and urge all parties to cease and desist forthwith from further use of provocative words and actions.
He spoke through the Commissioner for Information, Comrade Ini Ememobong who signed a release and made available to newsmen in Uyo on Tuesday, following a protest which rocked the recent amendment of The Traditional Rulers Law CAP 155.
Recall that on Thursday, September 14, 2023, the Deputy Leader of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Barr. Otobong Bob, presented a Bill seeking to amend the Traditional rulers Law CAP 155 Laws of Akwa Ibom State, 2022 (as amended).
The Bill, which was committed to the Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs was later subjected to public hearing with the observation that;
“The amendment of the Traditional Rulers Law, Cap 155 Laws of Akwa Ibom State 2022 will; Place the heads of our traditional institutions in equal rank with other reputable Chiefs in the Country; Dignify and sustain the integrity of traditional institutions in Akwa Ibom State.
“Will give a class and distinct identity to the Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers in the State. That all the Chiefs were in acceptance of the Bill; however, the opinion of the Annang and Oro Nation is that at the exit of the President General, the office should be rotated amongst the three (3) ethnic groups for the sake of peaceful co-existence. That the Chairmanship of Traditional Rulers Council should be rotational annually.
The committee headed by the Chairman, House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and member representing Etim Ekpo/Ika State Constituency, Rt Hon Mfon Idung in a report presented to the House held that;
“The Tenure of the President-General shall be for life and on his demised he shall be succeeded by the Vice President I while the Vice President II becomes the Vice President I in rotational system among the major 3 ethnic groups in the State”
“The Vice President I and II shall be the highest ranking Chiefs from the other two larger ethnic groups in the state other than that of the President-General of the Council”.
This amended did not go down well with Royal Fathers of Annang and Oro ethnic groups as they staged a protest to reject the Bill.
Paramount Ruler of Etim Ekpo, Prof Amanam Udo and his Urue-Offong Oruko counterpart, HRM Edidem Umanawo who spoke on behalf of Annang and Oro Ethnic group respectively, described the bill as discriminatory and insulting, and called for it withdrawal.
Giving further insight on the matter however, the state government says;
The facts which cannot be denied by any of our revered traditional rulers are:
“In September 2021, the House of Assembly passed a law creating the Akwa Ibom State Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers, which fittingly made the Oku Ibom Ibibio the President.
“In May 2023, their Royal Majesties, in a meeting attended by all of them, with the immediate past Governor and the incumbent Governor, agreed without any dissension, to all the contents of the current law, which strangely is now the subject of the protest.
“The bill sent to the House of Assembly for the amendment of the already existing law, was an exact reflection of the final agreement of the Paramount Rulers at the meeting of May 2023.
“The provisions of the law as passed by the House of Assembly are not in anyway strange, unenforceable, or discriminative. Similar provisions are currently also extant in many, if not all the states of the federation, including our mother state, Cross River.
“The State Government, being responsive and responsible, has heard the wordings of the protest and also being perceptive, is aware of the political underpinnings thereto; assures the protesters that their opposition is noted and advises them to use only peaceful and legal means in the search for an amicable resolution on this issue.
“The peace of our state is paramount and the Government led by His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno, will not abandon this responsibility for any reason.
“We respectfully urge our Royal fathers to dialogue among themselves in their council, within the shortest possible time, reach a decision on the matter, and communicate the same to the state government. The government maintains its longstanding disposition of non-interference in traditional matters.
“All citizens are assured that this matter, like others in the past, will be peacefully resolved.
