C’River Assembly Removes Traditional Rulers Council Chairman For Over Elongated Tenure
By Ebi COLLINS
Cross River House of Assembly has adopted a resolution removing the current chairman of the State Traditional Rulers Council, His Royal Majesty, Etinyin Etim Okon Edet for overstaying his tenure to the tune of about 10 years, and called on the State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu to urgently appoint a new leader to oversee the traditional institution of the state.
The House made the resolution following a Matter 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 Slyvester 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 as clearly stated in the extant laws of the state.
He stressed that, the Traditional Rulers Council Law of 2009, section 1, subsection 4, paragraph 1, provides for a rotation of the office for a tenure of 2 years.
The Lawmaker condemned the current situation where Etinyin Okon Edet has stayed in office for over 10 years, noting that it was at the detriment of both the Northern and Central Senatorial Districts and repugnant to natural justice.
In their separate contributions, legislators 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 (of blessed memory) 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 Etim Okon Edet has done marvelously 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 the manner in which Etinyin Okon Edet infringed on the office of the Special Adviser to Governor Otu on Chieftaincy Matters.
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 Out to declare the seat vacant and appoint a new Chairman from a different Senatorial Districts in the interest of peace and justice.
