Ibibio elders, leaders laud A’Ibom amended traditional institution law

Ogenyi Ogenyi, Uyo

Elders and leaders of Ibibio socio-cultural organisations have risen in support of the newly amended Akwa Ibom traditional institution law which confers the position of President General of the Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers of Akwa Ibom for life to Oku Ibom Ibibio, Ntenyin Solomon Etuk.

In a press statement on Monday in Uyo and endorsed by Dr Asikpo Essienibok, Chairman; Otuekong Sunny Jackson Udoh; Arc. Ekong Etuk; Prof. Etie Akpan; Nsit Elders Council, Mboho Ndito Nsit; Prof. Trenchard Ibia; Nsit Elders Council; Mboho Ndito Nsit and Prof. Etok Ekanem, among others, expressed gratitude to Governor Umo Eno for assenting to the Bill for the amendment of the Traditional Rulers Law, Cap.155, Laws of Akwa Ibom State, 2022.

They also lauded Eno for inaugurating Etuk as the President-General of Akwa Ibom State Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers as well as HRM, Odidem Bassey Edet, as the Chairman of the Council as part of the ceremony marking the 36th Anniversary of Akwa Ibom statehood.

The group maintained that the law was in order for the overall development, peace, stability, national respect, and progress of the state also hailed the state Assembly Speaker, Mr Udeme Ottong and other lawmakers for the passage of the Bill.

According to the group, “We wish to note that other states of the federation have similar traditional structures that have served them well.”

It could be recalled that the governor on Friday accented the bill seeking to amend the Traditional Rulers Law CAP 155, Laws of Akwa Ibom State, 2022 (as amended) which was presented, deliberated and subsequently referred to the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs for scrutiny and finally passed into law by the state assembly.

Since the accent, however, some sections of the state have criticised the new law alleging that it was a ploy by the majority Ibibio ethnic group to perpetually dominate them.