The Cross River Assembly has approved a resolution seeking removal of the current Chairman of the State Traditional Rulers council HRM. Etinyin Etim Okon Edet.
The chairman of the State Traditional Rulers council is to be officially removed from his position because he stayed in office beyond the allowed time.
His extended tenure span over 10 years, despite the law stipulating a rotation of the office every two years.
Therefore, the State Legislature has called on the State Governor, Sen. Bassey Edet Otu, to urgently appoint a new Chairman in replacement
A close source told Truth Live News that 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.
Again, he said, leading debate on the matter, Hon. Agabi said the office of the Chairman of the Traditional Rulers Council is tenured for two years as clearly stated in the law.
He stated further that, the Traditional Rulers Council Law of 2009 section 1 sub 4 paragraph 1 provides for a rotation of the office for a tenure of 2 years.
Accordingly, the Lawmaker condemned the current situation where HRM. Etinyin Okon Edet has stayed in office for over 10 years.
The also said that it was at the detriment of both the Northern and Central Senatorial Districts which is against natural justice.
Meanwhile, In their separate contributions, the source said that Members argued that the Traditional Rulers Council Law did not provide for the renewal of the two year tenure.
They also noted that northern Senatorial District and the Central Senatorial District of the state had occupied the office for two years each.
Moreover, “Etinyin Okon Edet has done marvelously well, but his continuous stay in office is unacceptable,” they argued.
In addition, the Lawmakers condemned in strong terms the manner in which the TRC Chairman Etinyin Okon Edet infringed on the office of the Special Adviser to Governor on Chieftaincy Matters.
Therefore, the Speaker of the state house Assembly Rt Hon. Elvert Ayambem has said that the Laws of the State must be respected.
As a result, “the House will uphold the rotation of the office of the Chairman Traditional Rulers Council as stipulated by the Law,” he reiterated.
“Declares the seat vacant and appoint a new Chairman from a different Senatorial Districts in the interest of peace and justice,” the speaker urged Governor Otu.
HRM. Etinyin Etim Okon Edet is the Paramount Ruler of Bakassi LGA in Cross River State Southern Senatorial District.