Akwa Ibom State Governor Pastor Umo Eno has hosted Paramount Rulers drawn from 29 out of the 31 local government areas of the State, to find lasting solutions to the lingering issue arising from the amended Akwa Ibom State Traditional Rulers’ Law, at the State Executive Council Chambers, as the Paramount Rulers of Ibeno and Ini Local Government Areas were absent on health grounds.
A release signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ekerete Udoh, says the Governor who thanked the Paramount Rulers and assured them of his government’s readiness to work with them to find a lasting solution to the matter, stressed that the position of the traditional leaders from their submissions, is that they have all agreed on the principle of rotation for the position of the President -General of Akwa Ibom State Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers.
According to him, government will not meddle into the issue involving the revered traditional fathers, that is why a 7- man Committee has been drawn from the revered body to make recommendations concerning the mode or structure of the rotation and submit the conclusions in two weeks, stating that government will thereafter, send the recommendations to the State House of Assembly for further considerations.
Speaking on behalf of their colleagues, Edidem (Prof.) Amanam Udo, Paramount Ruler of Etim Ekpo and Owong Okon Abang, Paramount Ruler of Mbo as well as Edidem Clement Francis Ekpenyong of Ibesikpo Asutan, all spoke in total support of the setting up of the committee. Meanwhile in his speech, the Chairman of the State Traditional Rulers Council, Odidem Bassey Etim Edet, thanked the Governor for the excellent manner he has handled the matter and supported the idea of a committee to look into the issue as proposed by the Governor.
Also speaking, the Oku Ibom Ibibio and President General of Akwa Ibom State Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers, His Eminence, Ntenyin Solomon Etuk, CFR, also sued for peace, emphasizing that they are all bounded by the same cords of unity. In his vote of thanks, Barrister Ekpenyong Ntekim a Counsel to some Royal Father who had initially instituted a court action on the issue, described Governor Umo Eno as a man of peace. He thanked the Governor for his ingenuity in setting up the committee and expressed his support, stating that it represents the best way to resolve the lingering issue. The position was also echoed by the State Attorney General, Uko Udom, SAN.
Meanwhile the members of the constituted 7-Man Committee are: His Royal Majesty- HRM Edidem Etim Charles Daniel Abia,FCA, Paramount Ruler of Eket – Chairman, HRM Edidem (Dr.) Edet Akpan Inyang, Paramount Ruler of Itu- Member, Edidem(Prof.) Amanam Akpanudo Uko, Paramount Ruler of Etim Ekpo, Member, HRM Akuku Okon Udo Ukut, Paramount Ruler of Ikot Ekpene LGA, Member, HRM Owong Okon Asukwo Abang, Paramount Ruler of Mbo LGA, Member, HRM Edidem Ita Edet Okokon, Paramount Ruler of Okobo LGA, Member, HRM Okuku (Dr.) Ime Udousoro Inyang,JP, Paramount Ruler of Ibiono Ibom LGA, Member; while Dr.Emmanuel Umontuen, Secretary, Akwa Ibom Traditional Rulers Council, will function as the Committee Secretary.
Others present at the meeting were the Speaker of the State House of Assembly Elder Udeme Otong, the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah, Director General of Government Business, Chief Assam Assam,SAN, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Frank Archibong, and the Political Adviser to the Governor, Prince ( Dr.) Godwin Ntukudeh.