A’Ibom Amended Traditional Rulers Law Is Sacrosanct – 18 Paramount Rulers Affirm

Paramount rulers from the three senatorial districts of Akwa Ibom State have given their full backing to the amended Traditional Rulers Law, Cap. 155 of 2022 as recently passed by the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly and signed into law by Governor Umo Bassey Eno.

In a joint statement issued on Tuesday, October 17, 2023, the Paramount Rulers drawn from Uyo, Ikot Ekpene and Senatorial Districts, stated that the amended Law, which brought forth Akwa Ibom State Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers has enhanced the prestige of the traditional institution, thus situating our own appropriately at the realms of nobility as obtained in other parts of Nigeria.

The royal fathers made it known that individually and collectively, they have categorically affirmed the correctness of the amended Traditional Rulers Law, Cap. 155 of 2022.

The statement which was signed by a total of 18 Paramount rulers, further stated that it would be most dishonourable and unexpected of them as royal fathers to renounce or fake ill knowledge of what they all knew about and had willingly accepted.

They disassociated themselves from what they described as “inappropriate, misguided and unwholesome reactions orchestrated through protests, lawsuits, public statements against the amended TRC law” by some paramount rulers.

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The statement stated, “Furthermore, it is to our chagrin to see the unpatriotic activities of some highly placed political figures who have decided to introduce uncharitable dimensions into a purely traditional matter. We kindly appeal to them to retrace their steps. Enough is enough of sowing discord between Ibibio, Annang, Oron and others.

“We wish therefore to urge our Royal Colleagues to tread the path of honour and avoid going against their oath of office and oath of allegiance to the Government of Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria. It must be noted that the sanctity of our traditional institution should not be traded or compromised at the altar of politics.

“It must be pointed out that His Eminence, Ntenyin (Dr.) Solomon Daniel Etuk, JP, CFR has effectively assumed office as President General of the Akwa Ibom State Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers in perpetuity, having been sworn in by the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State on September 23, 2023. Likewise, His Royal Majesty, Odidem Bassey Etim Edet, Paramount Ruler of Udung Uko Local Government Area has assumed office having been equally sworn into office as the Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers by the Governor of Akwa Ibom State on September 23, 2023.

“Those engaging in dishonourable acts against the Akwa Ibom State Government and the Akwa Ibom State Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers should know that the swearing into offices of the President General and the Chairman have effects of Law and cannot therefore be wished away by mere pedestrian actions and vituperations.

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“We therefore congratulate and pledge our loyalty to the leadership of Akwa Ibom State Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers under the superintendency of His Eminence, Ntenyin (Dr.) Solomon Daniel Etuk, JP, CFR as President General and His Royal Majesty, Odidem Bassey Etim Edet, JP, Paramount Ruler of Udung Uko Local Government Area as the Chairman.

“In conclusion, we urge the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, His Excellency, Pastor Bassey Umo Eno, the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly and our distinguished sons and daughters at home and in Diaspora, to know that we accept the Amended Traditional Rulers Law, Cap. 155 of 2022 and the leadership as put in place on September 23, 2023.

“We pledge our unalloyed loyalty to the government in line with our oath of office and oath of allegiance and will always defend the sanctity of the culture and traditions of our people.”

Meanwhile, some paramount rulers, who had moved against the amended Traditional Rulers Law, Cap. 155 of 2022 have apologized to the State Governor, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno.

In a meeting convened with the 31 paramount rulers by Governor Eno Tuesday at the State Executive Council Chambers, Uyo the Paramount Ruler of Mbo, HRM Ogwong Okon Asuquo Abang and the Paramount Ruler of Etim Ekpo, HRM Professor Amanam Udoh apologized for their actions.

Governor Umo Eno, who responded by accepting their apologies, assured the 31 Paramount rulers that he would do everything within his power to maintain peace, equity and justice and asked the Paramount Rulers from the 31 Local Government Areas to reciprocate his gesture in their respective domains in the State.

The Governor promised to sit down with the paramount rulers to look into how the matter could be resolved but asked that the case instituted against the state government by a cross-section of the paramount rulers of Annang, Oro and Obolo extractions, be withdrawn first, so the government may not be in contempt of court.