Posted by Ubong ASSAM Jnr.


Amidst the ongoing debate and confusion surrounding the amended Traditional Rulers Law, Cap.155 of 2022, the Paramount Rulers of the three Senatorial Districts of Akwa Ibom State have released a formal statement to clarify the facts and set the record straight.

A joint statement issued on Tuesday and signed by a total of eighteen (18) Paramount Rulers, addressed key issues and concerns surrounding the amended law.

It reads: “We, the Paramount Rulers, drawn from the three Senatorial Districts of Akwa Ibom State, to wit, Akwa Ibom North East (UYO); Akwa Ibom South (EKET) and Akwa Ibom North West (IKOT EKPENE) wish to formally react and put the record straight

“1. First of all, may we formally express our heartfelt appreciation to the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, His Excellency, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno for assenting to the amended Traditional Rulers Law, Cap. 155 of 2022; as passed by the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly. We equally extend our appreciation to the 7th Assembly for commencing the amendment processes and members of the 8th Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly for the passage of the law.

“2. In effect, the amended Law, which brought forth Akwa Ibom State Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers, has enhanced the prestige of the State Traditional Institution, thus situating our own appropriately at the realms of nobility as obtained in other parts of Nigeria.

“3. We stand therefore, individually and collectively, to categorically affirm the correctness of the amended Traditional Rulers Law, Cap. 155 of 2022.

“4. It would therefore be most dishonourable and unexpected of us as Royal Fathers to renounce or fake ill knowledge of what we all knew about and willingly accepted.

“5. In the light of this sacred fact, we totally disassociate ourselves from the inappropriate, misguided and unwholesome reactions orchestrated through protests, law suit and public statements against the amended Traditional Rulers Law, Cap 155 of 2022.

“6. 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.

“7. 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.

“8. 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.

“9. 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.

“10. We therefore congratulate and pledged 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 as the Chairman.

“11. 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 totally accept the Amended Traditional Rulers Law, Cap. 155 of 2022 and the leadership as put in place on September 23, 2023.

“12. 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.”

We are:

1. His Eminence, Ntenyin (Dr.) Solomon D. Etuk, JP, CFR
Oku Ibom Ibibio/President General, Akwa Ibom State Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers
Paramount Ruler of Nsit Ubium LGA
(Akwa Ibom North East)

2. HRM Odidem Bassey Etim Edet, JP, Eti Oyo Okpo
Chairman, Akwa Ibom State Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers
Paramount Ruler of Udung Uko LGA
(Akwa Ibom South)

3. HRM Okuku (Dr.) Ime Udousoro Inyang, JP,
Paramount Ruler of Ibiono Ibom LGA
(Akwa Ibom North East)

4. HRM Edidem Udo Joe Ntuk Obom XII
Paramount Ruler of Ikot Abasi LGA
(Akwa Ibom South)

5. HRM Edidem Elder (Dr.) Edet Akpan Inyang
Paramount Ruler of Itu LGA
(Akwa Ibom North East)

6. HRM Edidem Ubong Peter Assam
Paramount Ruler of Esit Eket LGA
(Akwa Ibom South)

7. HRM Ofong Odiong Edet Akan
Paramount Ruler of Oron LGA
(Akwa Ibom South)

8. HRM Edidem (Elder) Akpan Akpan Ekpene Akwa Enin
Paramount Ruler of Mkpat Enin LGA
(Akwa Ibom South)

9. HRM Edidem Etim Charles Daniel Abia, FCA, Attah Ekid
Paramount Ruler of Eket LGA
(Akwa Ibom South)

10. HRM Edidem Raymond Timothy Inyang
Paramount Ruler of ONNA LGA
(Akwa Ibom South)

11. HRM Edidem Clement Francis Ekpenyong
Paramount Ruler of Ibesikpo Asutan LGA
(Akwa Ibom North East)

12. HRM Edidem (Elder) Manasseh Simeon Akpan, JP
Paramount Ruler of Nsit Ibom LGA
(Akwa Ibom North East)

13. HRM Edidem Sylvanus Effiong Okon JP
Paramount Ruler of Uyo LGA
(Akwa Ibom North East)

14. HRM Edidem Peter Okon Effiong
Paramount Ruler of Nsit Atai LGA
(Akwa Ibom North East)

15. HRM Edidem Cosmas Bassey Nkanga
Paramount Ruler of Uruan LGA
(Akwa Ibom North East)

16. HRM Edidem Etim N. Itang,
Paramount Ruler of Ikono LGA
(Akwa Ibom North West)

17. HRM Edidem Udoete Edon
Paramount Ruler of Ini LGA
(Akwa Ibom North West)

18. HRM Edidem Aniefiok Monday Akpanobong
Paramount Ruler of Etinan LGA
(Akwa Ibom North East).