By Ogenyi Ogenyi, Uyo
Controversy surrounding the amended Akwa Ibom Traditional Rulers Council (TRC) law has fueled dissatisfaction among the Ibibio, Annang, Obolo, and Oro ethnic groups in the state.
The amended law designates perpetual headship of the new Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers to the Ibibio, the majority ethnic group in the state. However, aggrieved traditional rulers from Annang, Oro, and Obolo have rejected the law, insisting that the office of the President-General of the Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers must rotate among all the ethnic groups in the state.
In a communique issued after an enlarged meeting in Ikot Ekpene, they threatened to boycott all events, meetings, and activities presided over by the Oku Ibom Ibibio, HRM Eteyin Solomon Etuk.
The communique was signed by Chief Okon Udofia representing the Obolos, Ovong Efiong Unanaowo for Oro, and Okuku Prof. Amanam Udo representing Annang, among others.
The communique states, “The Converge directs that no member of the Traditional Rulers Council from the Annang, Oron, and Obolo nationalities shall attend any meeting, event, function of any sort presided over by the Oku Ibom Ibibio as the President-General of the Supreme Council of Akwa Ibom State Traditional Rulers. Whoever flouts this resolution shall be traditionally sanctioned in accordance with our customs and traditions.
“The Converge gladly accepts the authorization and instructions of our people from Annang, Oron, and Obolo ethnic nationalities in Akwa Ibom State to take all necessary legal and constitutional actions against what we all consider a deliberate effort to obliterate our ethnic groups, as intended by the recently amended Traditional Laws of Akwa Ibom State, which has suddenly turned a once peaceful state into a fragmented society built on ethnic blocs with the potential for a breakdown of law and order in the state.”
They urged the state governor to reverse the law in the interest of the peace and unity of all ethnic groups in the state.
