Chairman of Cross River State Traditional Rulers Council, HRM Dr Etim Okon Edet has decried alleged embarrassment by the State House of Assembly.
In a telephone interview, HRM Edet said the Assembly ought not to deliberate his replacement on the floor of the Assembly because the governor has the power to appoint his successor without public deliberation.
On Tuesday, the Assembly resolved that Gov Bassey Otu should declare Edet’s seat vacant since he has overstayed his tenure by 12 years which ought to be two years.
This followed a Matter of Urgent Public Importance on the alleged crisis in the state Traditional Rulers Council.
A member, representing Obudu State Constituency and Deputy Speaker of the House, Sylvester Agabi sponsored the motion.
In a telephone interview, Dr Etim Okon Edet said he did not occupy the office of his own volition but that each governor that came asked him to stay on.
He said he stayed in office for part of former Gov Liyel Imoke’s eight years and Prof Ben Ayade’s complete eight years.
“Even when Gov Bassey Otu came in last year, he still asked that I stay on. I am not imposing myself on that throne.
“Even many of the paramount rulers would tell me to continue.
“The governor has the prerogative to say I should step aside for a replacement.
Edet who is also the paramount ruler of Bakassi LGA stated, “It is not something they should go to the House of Assembly to deliberately embarrass me.”
However, the lawmakers alleged that HRH Etime Edet infringed on the office of the Special Adviser to Governor Otu on Chieftaincy Affairs where he reportedly manhandled the appointee.
They alleged that the monarch allegedly blocked every move to replace him.
They have insisted that the governor should appoint another person from a different Senatorial District.
They stressed that the Traditional Rulers Council was established by Edict No. 4 of 1978 which was later amended in 2009, adding that section 1, sub 4, paragraph 1 provides for a rotation of that office for a tenure of 2 years.
The lawmakers condemned the current situation where HRM Edet stayed in office for over 10 years, noting that it was to the detriment of both the Northern and Central Senatorial Districts.
The legislators recalled that HRH Oti J.D. Agba from the northern Senatorial District had occupied the office for two years before handing over to HRH, Eval ldaka from Abi in the Central Senatorial District who died before the expiration of his two-year tenure.
Upholding the call, Speaker of the Assembly, 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.
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