Only gov has rights over boundary issue, Emmanuel warns chairmen, others

Ini Billie, Uyo

Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State has warned local government chairmen, paramount rulers and other traditional leaders against meddling in boundaries.

According to Emmanuel, every piece of land in the state is entrusted to the governor and warned that no traditional ruler has any right to make pronouncements about boundaries except the governor.

Speaking at the weekend during the Swearing-in/Presentation of Staff of Office to the Paramount Ruler of Ini Local Government Area, His Royal Majesty, Edidem Udoette Edon and certification to nine newly recognized Clan Heads, the governor advised them to operate within the ambit of the law and permissible boundaries of their offices in the discharge of their duties.

Stating that boundary or land dispute issues should not be used to cause disharmony among communities and disturb the peace of the state, Emmanuel said all such issues should be reported to the relevant authorities to handle.

“Every single piece of land in the state is entrusted to the governor, not to the Paramount Ruler. No Paramount Ruler has any right to make pronunciations about boundaries except the state governor.

“So please, let no Paramount Ruler cause confusion. Please, let nobody disturb the peace of this state because of selfish interest. Let’s continue to live in peace and harmony.

“If you have any issue, let the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs know and from there, I’ll know immediately and then the Attorney General will come in and we take it through the right law. Please don’t go and make any pronunciations that are not allowed.

“I also want to caution; no Local Government Chairman has the right to delineate the boundary of any Local Government Area or any state. If you do that, it means you are not fit to hold that office and I’m sure the law would take its course,” he stated.

The governor called for synergy between the local government and the traditional institutions and advised traditional rulers to accord due respect to those higher in the hierarchy.

According to him, the Local Government Chairmen are the closest to the traditional institution and should do everything possible to accord the traditional institution due regard and recognition as stipulated by the law and help bridge the gap between them and the state government.

While speaking, the Commissioner for Local Government & Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr Frank Archibong said the Traditional Rulers were happy about the new frontiers of economic development, peace, unity and prosperity witnessed in the state.

Archibong appreciated the governor for giving the traditional fathers their pride of place and assured that the monarchs will continue to play the role of maintaining peace in their various domains.

In his remarks, the President General, Akwa Ibom State Traditional Rulers Council, His Eminence Ntenyin (Dr) Solomon Etuk, the Oku Ibom Ibibio, commended Governor Udom Emmanuel for supporting and recognizing the traditional stool to carry out the responsibility of upholding peace in the state and urged Akwa Ibom people to support the governor to succeed.