Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, has urged traditional rulers and local government chairmen in the state to operate within the ambit of law and not to make comments on issues bothering on land boundaries.
He said that such utterances resides within the office of the governor and should not be meddled into by them
The governor gave the charge at 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 of nine newly-recognized clan heads at the Traditional Rulers Council Chambers, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital.
He also appreciated the contributions and support of the traditional institution to the success of his administration and congratulated the newly sworn-in royal fathers urging them to be guided by their oath of office in the discharge of their duties.
He said, “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.
“Let nobody disturb the peace of this state because of selfish interest. Let’s continue to love 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 will 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.”
The Akwa Ibom Chief Executive also used the occasion to sue for synergy between the local government and the traditional institutions, while admonishing traditional rulers from village heads upwards to accord due respect to those higher in hierarchy.
He particularly passed a vote of confidence on the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Frank Archibong, for always delivering on the mandate of his office without fail.
Delivering an address at the event, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Frank Archibong, communicated the delight of the royal fathers in celebrating with Governor Emmanuel, the new frontiers of economic development, peace, unity and prosperity of the state in the last 35 years.
The Commissioner expressed appreciation to the governor for giving the traditional fathers their pride of place and assured that the traditional rulers 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.
Highpoints of the event were the administration of oath of allegiance and oath office on the new Paramount Ruler, followed by presentation of Certificate of Recognition, Staff of Office and a brand new Toyota Prado SUV as official vehicle.
