Two traditional rulers in Akpabuyo Local Government Area have been indefinitely suspended by Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State, citing alleged insubordination.
The suspended rulers are HRH Etinyin Ekpenyong Ekpo Asuquo, the clan head of Atimbo, and HRH Etinyin Archibong Ita Le’Nelson, the clan head of Akansoko.
Their suspension, announced on Monday, was a result of a NewsNow report dated April 21, 2024, titled “Otu’s appointment of acting paramount ruler sparks more crises in Cross River”.
Archibong Ita Le’Nelson, one of the suspended rulers, expressed disapproval to NewsNow regarding the governor’s appointment of Etinyin Francis Effiom Edem as the acting paramount ruler of the LGA.
Le’Nelson argued that the governor did not engage in the necessary consultations prior to the appointment of HRH Francis Effiom.
He accused two of the governor’s aides, whom he claimed are related to the governor, of providing him with misleading information.
He emphasized that according to the rotational tradition of traditional headship, it was the turn of clan heads from his region to hold the position. He pointed out that three paramount rulers had already emerged from the same region where the new appointee is from.
The vacant position arose following the demise of HRH Lawrence Edet, who was believed to have suffered trauma following his abduction by gunmen in mid-December 2023.
In a statement released by Gill Nsa, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, the rejection of the appointment of HRH Francis Effiom Edem was labelled as “unacceptable insubordination”.
“Consequently, the mentioned individuals are hereby suspended indefinitely. They are prohibited from representing themselves in any capacity as clan heads until further notice.
“This directive is effective immediately. The governor will soon announce the appointment of acting clan heads,” he added.