TRC Law 2023: Gov Eno Receives Report As Committee Recommends Rotational Headship

 
By Bassey Nkponam
UYO
Barely two months after the constitution of a 7-man committee to resolve the issue as regards the amended Akwa Ibom State Traditional Rulers’ Law 2023, and proffer lasting solutions to it, the Akwa Ibom governor has received a report from the committee which strongly recommends a rotational approach in the headship of the highest traditional stool for the overall peace and unity of the state.
Recall that the 7-man committee constituted by the State governor, Pastor Umo Eno, had the paramount ruler of Eket, HRM Edidem E. C. D. Abia, as chairman, with the paramount rulers of Itu, Edidem Edet Akpan Inyang; Etim Ekpo, Professor AmanamAkpanudo Uko; Ikot Ekpene, Akuku Okon Udo Ukut; Mbo, Owong Okon Asukwo Abang; Okobo, Edidem Ita Edet Okokon; Ibiono Ibom, Okuku Ime Udousoro Inyang, as members, while the secretary, Akwa Ibom Traditional Rulers Council, Dr Emmanuel Umontuen, served as secretary of the committee.
Eno, who received the report recently from the chairman of the committee, HRM Edidem E. C.D. Abia, at Government House, Uyo, said he was committed to studying the recommendations made by the committee, come up with a draft bill reflecting the true wishes of all parties concerned, that would thereafter, be forwarded to the State House of Assembly for necessary legislation.
He thanked members of the committee for accepting to serve in the interest of peace, expressing hope that the report has addressed all the grey areas including issues of rotation of the highest traditional stool, the tenure of the traditional headship, as well as the chairman and President-General of the Traditional Rulers Council.
The committee chairman, Edidem E. C. D. Abia, while presenting the report to the governor, described him as a true leader, lauding him for the bold step taken in setting up the committee in the interest of peace and unity in the State.
Edidem Abia, while analysing the report, said the disagreements that arose from the earlier amended law was due to inadequate consultations, noting that the committee has taken time to engage relevant stakeholders in the interest of all.
  The monarch said the committee in identifying the peculiar nature of the state, strongly recommended a rotational approach in the leadership of the highest traditional stool for the overall peace and unity of the state.
   Edidem Abia made known that,in carrying out its assignment, the committee relied on memoranda by Ifim Ibom Ibibio on one hand and the paramount rulers of Annang, Oro, and Obolo ethnic groups on the other hand which, according to him, all agreed on the need for rotation in the headship of the traditional stool for maximum benefit to the state and as obtained in other states in the region.
The commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs, Mr Frank Archibong, said the committee was allowed a free hand to explore and address all issues contained in the terms of reference, with zero interference from his ministry.
Present at the presentation ceremony were the speaker of the State House of Assembly, Elder Udeme Otong; secretary to the state government, Prince Enobong Uwah; Attorney general and commissioner for Justice, Mr Uko Udom(SAN), and a one-time attorney general and commissioner for Justice in the state, Mr Ekpenyong Ntekim, Esq, who was counsel to a section of the traditional rulers.