October 12, (THEWILL) – The people of Mbume in Etung Local Government Area of Cross River State have called on the State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, to reinstate the suspended Etung LGA paramount ruler, His Royal Majesty, Ntui Atue, Oru Ojong.
They made the demand in a resolution, which proceeded a stakeholders meeting held at Bendeghe Ekiem Town Council hall, Etung LGA.
Speaking on behalf of the Mbume clan, the Village Head of Mkpage Nyarinka, Etomi Community, Chief Fabian Emmanghe and his Bendeghe Ekiem counterpart, Ntufam Odu Ndep of Bendeghe Ekiem community, charged the government to, without delay, reinstate the paramount ruler.
“You don’t replace a traditional ruler when he is still alive and allow another individual to be parading himself as paramount ruler.
“We can’t have two paramount rulers at a time. Two captains cannot steer the same ship. After his suspension, he went to court and secured a court ruling in his favour. Unfortunately, the judgment was never executed.
“This is why we are also calling on the Chairman of the Cross River State Traditional Rulers’ Council to join forces with the State Government in the reinstatement of Etung paramount ruler,” Mbume Clan heads maintained.
The aggrieved people stated that they were not waging any war against the State Government, stressing that all they were seeking was reinstatement of their paramount ruler.
Also, the Youth President of Abia Community in the LGA, Comrade Elvis Ebuta and his Bendeghe Ekiem counterpart, Comrade Takon Mgbe, urged the State Governor to expedite action in the reinstatement of the monarch so that peace can return to the land.
The suspended monarch was sanctioned by the former governor of the State, Professor Ben Ayade, over spurious allegations that he misappropriated proceeds of royalties paid to the area by the State Government.
Dissatisfied with the State Government’s action, Dr. Ojong proceeded to the State High Court and successfully cleared his name in Suit No. HC/96/2022.
Also, the State Government set up a committee which later exonerated the monarch of any wrongdoing but no action had been taken to reinstate him.
About the Author
THEWILL Correspondent, Aniekan Bassey has over six years experience that spans across several fields in print journalism including development communication, sexual reproductive and health rights issues, crime, climate change, social justice, business and human interest stories.
