Stop appointing traditional rulers for us, monarch tells Cross River governor – Blueprint Newspapers Limited
The clan head of Akansoko in Akpabuyo local government area of Cross River state, HRH Archibong Ita, has told Governor Bassey Otu to stop meddling in the leadership matters of traditional institution.
His reaction came shortly after the Governor, in a press statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, appointed the clan head of Esuk Mba, Etinyin Francis Effiom Edem, as acting paramount ruler of the council area, a situation some of the clan heads disagreed with.
HRH Ita, who claimed to speak the mind of other clan heads of the Akpabuyo Traditional Rulers Council, said the governor took the decision without consulting the Council in a bid to give them an opportunity to bring forward one of their own as paramount ruler.
Addressing Journalists in Calabar, weekend, Ita said, “it is the duty of the clan heads to elect one of their own as a paramount ruler, and not the government. Besides, three persons from the same axis of Esuk Mba have so far occupied the position of paramount ruler whereas it was supposed to be rotational amongst the 15 clans of Akpabuyo LGA.
“Ideally, it was the turn of the axis where my clan Akansoko belongs that should produce the next paramount ruler but we were very surprised when some relatives of Etinyin Francis Effiom in Governor Otu’s government misled the Governor to appoint Francis as acting paramount ruler.
“This appointment cannot stand because Etinyin Francis Effiom is from the same area that has produced three before. Even the last paramount Ruler, HRH Lawrence Edet, who joined his ancestors a few months ago, was from there.
“It is the turn of our area to produce a paramount ruler. Other clan heads are equally opposed to the governor’s appointment. He didn’t consult us but relied on his aides who are relations of the appointee.”
However, in an interview, the appointee, HRH Etinyin Francis Edem, dismissed the allegation, saying the governor did the right thing since among the clan head, he remained the most qualified for the position.
“The governor did not consult me though but I am very happy that he has appointed me. As you may know, I am the most qualified clan head for the position and the people want me. Only two persons out of 12 are aggrieved,” he stated.
