Governor Reverses Removal of Traditional Rulers Council Chairman
Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has made a sudden U-turn by reversing an earlier decision to remove the chairman of the state Traditional Rulers Council. Instead, he extended the monarch's tenure just days after announcing a replacement.
The reversal came after two conflicting letters from the Department of Chieftaincy Affairs, signed by the governor's Special Adviser on Chieftaincy Affairs, Francis Edet, caused confusion over the leadership change.
Conflicting Letters Spark Controversy
The first letter, dated June 18, announced the appointment of Felix Ukudare, the paramount ruler of Obudu Traditional Rulers Council, as the new chairman. It also directed the former chairman to stop his tour of local government areas and prepare handover notes.
However, a second letter dated June 23 reversed the earlier directive. It stated that Governor Otu had approved an extension of the incumbent chairman's tenure for another two years, officially canceling the earlier change of guard.
Governor's Aide Defends Authority
Reacting to questions, Francis Edet said all actions from his office were carried out with the governor's approval. He stated, “There’s nothing I do in my office without the approval of the governor. And anything I do is being guided by the traditional rulers’ council laws. A lot of people are not aware of that.”
Edet explained that the law gives the governor the power to extend the chairman's tenure. “The incumbent man who is there has exhausted his two years, and if, by the prerogative of the governor, he decides to extend it for him, he (Governor Otu) has the power,” he added.
Public Reactions and Transparency Concerns
The abrupt reversal has generated reactions from the public, with some questioning the circumstances behind the sudden change. The conflicting letters have raised concerns about decision-making authority and transparency in the state's chieftaincy affairs.
