Pillar Today

  • INEC Insists Nigeria’s Electoral System Recording Significant Progress

    INEC Insists Nigeria’s Electoral System Recording Significant Progress

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that despite challenges, the country’s electoral processes were recording significant improvements as compared to the past.

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Bayelsa State, Barr Obo Effanga, who said this in Calabar, during a chat with Journalists, said future elections would be better.

    Effanga rated the 2023 elections as more credible as compared to that of 2015 in which smart card readers were used for accreditation but which later ended up with incidence forms/manual accreditation when politicians complained about inability of the card readers to function maximally.

    He said results from some States which decided on incidence forms may not have been based on actual accredited persons who ought to have voted.

    “In 2015 about eighty million registered voters where captured while in 2023 the figure increased to about ninety three millions registered voters. This signaled a positive step towards actualizing a peaceful and sustainable democratic process.

    “For the first time in our democratic struggles, jumbo figures did not find space in the final results announced for 2023 polls, and this positive approach should act as a consolation inspiration that we are taking positive steps toward actualizing a sustainable democratic process,” he stated

    The REC, who also advocated civic and voter education for electorates called on elective office seekers not to always condemn results of electoral body when they face defeat.

    Barr Effanga lamented that a situation where elective office seekers would rush to condemn the results of every electoral process should not be interpreted to mean that Nigeria is not making progress towards deepening its democratic processes

  • Cross River Launches Annual School-Based Deworming Exercise Soon 

    Cross River Launches Annual School-Based Deworming Exercise Soon 

    By Ita Williams

    The Cross River State Ministry of Health’s Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) unit is partnering with Evidence Action, a US-based international organization, to launch its annual comprehensive state-wide, school-based deworming exercise in Calabar from April 24th to 30th, 2024.

    Organisers said the exercise is aimed at treating soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) and Schistosomiasis, diseases that are particularly common in children.

    Toochi Ohaji, the Country’s Senior Manager of Evidence Action, Nigeria, spoke at a media parley on Monday at the State Secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, hosted by Evidence Action, Nigeria and the State Ministry of Health.

    He revealed that last year, they successfully dewormed 653,000 school children against NTDs.

    Ohaji advised that every child should be dewormed at least every six months in line with the World Health Organization (WHO) standards, and emphasized that WHO had donated NTD drugs free of charge.

    Mrs. Veronica Mark, the NTD Coordinator from the Cross River State Ministry of Health, in her presentation said that 623,828 school-aged children would be targeted to receive Mebendozole tablets for the preventive treatment of STH, while 173,000 children would be targeted for Schistosomiasis treatment.

    The treatment, she said, would be carried out in 14 Local Government Areas in Cross River State between April 24th and 30th, 2024.

    She explained that intestinal worm infections were a global concern, with over 1 billion children at risk, noting that in Nigeria alone, more than 48 million school-age children require treatment for STH infection, and 16.6 million school-age children require treatment for schistosomiasis.

    “These infections, caused by poor sanitation and hygiene conditions, can lead to anemia, malnourishment, and impaired mental and physical development, ultimately affecting children’s educational outcomes and their future income as adults.

    “The inequality gap is further exacerbated by the fact that these infections disproportionately affect the poor, who are less able to afford diagnosis and treatment costs.

    “This hinder Nigeria’s development goals of equitable access to health and education. Since 2016, Evidence Action has been providing technical assistance to the Federal and Cross River State Government in implementing school-based deworming for STH and schistosomiasis in the state.

    “Every year, Evidence Action delivers treatment to Thousands of children in both public and private schools. Treating at-risk children through schools is an evidence-based and cost-effective solution,” she submitted.

  • Alex Oti’s Revelations And The Grave Dangers Of Corruption

    Alex Oti’s Revelations And The Grave Dangers Of Corruption

    By Etim Etim

    Corruption has been in the news lately, grabbing headlines and seizing national attention. In the week that Yahaya Bello arrayed the police against the EFCC and prevented the agency from arresting him, Gov. Alex Oti of Abia State made startling revelations on the humungous corruption perpetrated by his predecessors. He announced that on assumption of duty last year, he had commissioned one of the biggest audit firms in the country to conduct a forensic examination of the major contracts awarded by his predecessors and the audit reports recently submitted to him showed that some contracts were just fraudulent activities designed to steal money. The governor listed them as N79.3 billion paid to seven contractors for contracts that were not executed at all up till today; another N15.9 billion paid to 63 contractors with no supporting documents anywhere in the state and another N12 billion paid to two contractors for contracts that do exist. Of these, N10 billion was paid in September 2020 to a contractor for the construction of Abia State Airport. ‘’We have spent time looking for the airport, but we have failed to locate it’’, the governor said, indicating that he had reported the matter to the security agencies. To drive home the enormity of the crime, Gov. Oti stated that the N10 billion stolen through phantom airport fraud was the exact amount he spent to clear backlog of salaries and pensions he inherited.

    I was not particularly shocked by Gov. Oti’s revelations because scams occur almost daily in all the states of the federation and the FCT. In Akwa Ibom State, an ICT center is lying uncompleted not far from the Government House. The contract for construction was fully paid for, but the job was never done, and the two succeeding governors that came after refused to complete it. Gov. Umo Eno has not even mentioned it. Contract for the construction of a terminal building of the state-owned airport was awarded by another governor and the foreign contractor paid in full. Again, the job was not done. Another governor came, re-awarded it to another contractor, paid handsomely for it, but turned around to create his own schemes, awarding a different set of fraudulent contracts of his own for the building of a toothpick factory and dairy farm. Neither the toothpick factory nor the dairy farm has been found until this day, but the terminal building has made progress, and hopefully, would be completed by the incumbent governor. In neighbouring Cross River State, I am told that a former governor known for ‘olympopo budgets’ was a specialist in awarding illusory projects, fully paid for. Imo State under Rochas Okoracha deserves a book to be written on it.

    Everywhere you go around the country, phony schemes are used as conduit pipes to steal from the governments. The war between the two political gladiators in Rivers State is connected with sharing of the proceeds of contract scams. The incumbent governor’s decision to turn his back on the agreement he had with his predecessor has apparently saved the state billions of Naira. In Kogi, Gov. Usman Dodo is still loyal to his predecessor, Yahaya Bello. He helped him escape arrest by the EFCC. The same EFCC had last year indicted a former governor of Zamfara State, Alhaji Matawale, who is now the Minister of State, Defence, of conspiracy to commit fraud and money laundering to the tune of N70 billion. I’m sure that case has died a natural death. And who is the new governor of Zamfara? He was once a bank executive widely mentioned by the EFCC in the Diezani Allison-Madueke case years ago. These people keep reinventing themselves, from one lucrative job to another.

    The magnitudes and complexities of corruption in government houses across the country, including Aso Rock itself, are bewildering. But it is the standoff between Yahaya Bello and the EFCC that has raised questions about the fragility of the Nigerian state. If Bello could succeed in employing the services of the Nigerian police against the authority of the Nigerian state; and if Gov. Dodo could successfully mobilize a reinforcement of the Nigerian police to spirit Bello out of his home, thus subverting the authority and sovereignty of the state, you can imagine what the governors can do when they have state police. Bello and Dodo have shown how weak, fragile and vulnerable our institutions are and the extent the corrupt ones can go to capture the state and escape justice. A criminal suspect using state apparatus to defeat and embarrass the country shows how far we’ve sunk. Corruption continues to suffocate Nigeria, constituting our single biggest existential threat. It fuels terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other forms of violent crimes in the country. It denies our people education, healthcare, roads, rails and other amenities we deserve. Corruption, incompetence and decadence in all facets of our national life are the main reasons Nigeria has become a big global embarrassment. It’s never been this bad!

    In 2022, Yahaya Bello wanted to be President. He launched an ambitious campaign for APC presidential nomination in the party’s primaries. Although he scored a paltry 47 votes, his audacity did not go unnoticed. There’ve been speculations that he’s warming up for another bid in 2027. What kind of President will he be? At the federal level, the Tinibu administration is struggling with its own moral dilemma. For awarding a N15 trillion contract for the 700-km Lagos-Calabar highway to Hitech Construction Company (we all know those behind this company and their antecedents in Lagos) without due process, the government has received condemnations from many, including top opposition leaders like Atiku Abubarkar. Many are then asking if the administration possesses any iota of moral rectitude to even raise a voice against corruption.

    Etim is a Journalist and a Political Analyst based in Abuja

  • Otu inaugurates, tasks economic team on service delivery

    Otu inaugurates, tasks economic team on service delivery

    By Magnus Effiong

    Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River has charged the State’s nine-member Economic Management Team (EMT) to drive initiatives that would berth good economic fortunes for the State and its residents.

    Speaking while inaugurating the team, Monday, Governor Otu said it was important for the team to align with the workings and programmes of the Presidential Economic Management Team for proper synergy.

    He said the inauguration “marks a significant step towards economic growth and development in the State so as to enhance the standard of living for the people.

    “The focus is on tangible economic progress, to ensure citizens can access basic needs and create wealth for themselves.”

    Governor Otu also noted that the State’s EMT was inaugurated to strategise and implement economic models tailored to Cross River’s dynamics for the common good of the citizenry.

    “The informal sector, including Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs), is crucial in driving the State’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP),” he told the team which he presides over as chairman.

    He further emphasised the need to harness the potential in the State’s economic blueprint in order to improve the living standard and unlock the State’s potential, which he said, would rest on the inaugurated team.

    He urged the team, which has the State Economic Adviser, Prof. Peter Oti as the Alternate Chairman, to critically evaluate any economic model before proposing, and that the assignment would require hard work, selflessness, accountability, inclusivity, and a clear focus to succeed.

  • Gov Otu Suspends Two Clan Heads for Insubordination

    Gov Otu Suspends Two Clan Heads for Insubordination

    By Magnus Effiong

    Governor Bassey Otu has suspended the Clan Head of Akansoko, HRH Etinyin Archibong Ita and that of Atimbo, HRH Etinyin Ekpenyong Ekpo Asuquo, in Akpabuyo local government area, for acts bordering on insubordination.

    This is coming two days after the HRH Etinyin Ita, who claimed to speak for other clan heads, raised objection to the appointment of HRH Etinyin Francis Effiom Edem as acting Paramount Ruler of Akpabuyo.

    A press release signed by Gill Nsa, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, and titled ‘Suspension of Two Clan Heads in Akpabuyo for Insubordination,’ said the suspension of both HRH Ita and HRH Asuquo were indefinite.

    The release read in part: “His Excellency the Governor of Cross River State, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu has received report of unacceptable acts of insubordination by two clan
    heads in Akpabuyo Traditional Rulers Council.

    “The two: HRH Etinyin Ekpenyong Ekpo Asuquo (Clan Head of Atimbo) and HRH Etinyin Archibong Ita Le’Nelson (Clan Head of Akansoko) vehemently countered the directives of the Governor aimed at maintaining peace and orderliness in the leadership position of the Akpabuyo Traditional Rulers Council.

    “Accordingly, the so mentioned persons; HRH Etinyin Ekpenyong Ekpo Asuquo (Clan Head of Atimbo) and HRH Etinyin Archibong Ita Le’Nelson (Clan Head of
    Akansoko) are hereby suspended indefinitely.

    “More so, they are not expected to parade themselves anywhere and in any form as Clan Heads until further notice.

    “This directive takes immediate effect. In their stead, acting clan heads will be announced by the Governor.”

  • S/South APC Leaders Meet, Confident of Victory in Edo Guber Polls

    S/South APC Leaders Meet, Confident of Victory in Edo Guber Polls

    Zonal leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the South-South region of Nigeria, who convened in Calabar to discuss crucial political issues have said the party was sure of victory in the upcoming governorship elections in Edo State.

    A press statement signed by Nsa Gill, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, said the meeting which took place in Calabar, weekend, saw Gov Bassey Otu of Cross River State presiding having been recently conferred leader of the party at the Zonal level.

    The release noted that Otu, until date, is the only Governor from the APC stock in the region and the party executives have openly lauded the leadership he is offering Cross River State, with calls to replicate same at the South-south zone of the party.

    Speaking after the meeting, the Zonal Vice Chairman of the Party, Hon. Chief Victor Gaidom, said the meeting which was also attended by Chairmen of the party from various states within the zone resulted in a unanimous decision to work in synergy to strengthen the party in the zone and particularly ensure that the party emerges victorious in the forthcoming Edo State governorship election.

    He said the meeting was highly successful with very fruitful discussions which included their agreement to work for the unity of the party across the South-South states.

    In his words, he said: “We are using this opportunity to issue a warning to other political parties in Edo State, letting them know that the APC is ready to collect back the governance of the state.”

    The leaders said the Governor’s achievements in office were visible for all to see, especially in the areas of environment, infrastructural renewal, foundation laying for agriculture revolution, restoration of hope and human capital development.

    Governor Otu who was accompanied by his Chief of Staff, Hon. Emmanuel Ironbar to the meeting said he is happy to have hosted the Zonal executives of the party, and having been conferred with the responsibility of Zonal leadership, “it is often said that to whom much is given is expected. We needed to come together to deepen the APC in the South-South. Today, Cross River State is the only APC state in the South-South; we want to increase that number before we go to the next general election.”

    Governor Otu emphasized that APC has come to stay in Cross River State and that his administration has keyed into the renewed hope agenda of the federal government, which he said remained critical to the ‘People First’ mantra of his administration.

    “We will not relent in our efforts as a government to offer the people confidence and prosperity in our programmes and policies,” he stated.

    Among the State Chairmen in attendance were Alphonsus Ogar Eba Esq, Cross River State Chairman; Chief Stephen Ntuk Ekpo, Chairman, Akwa Ibom State;
    Chief Tony Okocha, Chairman, Rivers State; and Hon. Jarrett Tenebe; Chairman, Edo State. Most of the elected Zonal executive members were in attendance.

  • Gov Eno hosts Past, Present NAS Members in Night of Unity, Bipartisanship

    Gov Eno hosts Past, Present NAS Members in Night of Unity, Bipartisanship

    In an unprecedented show of unity and Pan Akwa Ibom spirit, National Assembly Members, past and present last night, at Government House Uyo, came together across party lines to pledge their commitment and support for the State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno in his drive to move further the needle of development of our Akwa Ibom State.

    A release signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ekerete Udoh said the event was “a night that political differences were buried and the passion of love, unity, faith in the Akwa Ibom exceptionalism were held aloft.”

    The release, made available to our reporter in Uyo read in part: “Speaker after speaker, commended the Governor, for his humility, his bipartisan disposition, unflinching dedication to alleviating the sufferings of the vulnerable and accent placed in opening up the rural areas, in his Arise Agenda.

    “The State Deputy Governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi who until her election on the joint ticket, was the Senator represented Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District at the National Assembly, in a tone setting commended the Governor for putting together the parley after the Easter Service of Songs where a number of past and present National Assembly members joined in singing praises to the Lord.

    “I remember telling the Governor, that your people (past and present members of the National Assembly) have been desiring to meet with you and you responded instantly that you will see them.

    “You were emphatic that it should not be just a PDP affair, but all great Akwaibomites who had served our dear State across party lines, which speaks to your spirit of inclusivity. And so here we are, all 68 of us except one, who recently passed on, coming to break bread of unity with you.

    “This night is one of history and we thank you for making this happen.”

    Governor Eno, was deeply appreciative for the show of unity. “No matter the party we belong to, the fact still remains that we are one Akwa Ibom State.

    “We can, as we are doing tonight, come together and look at things that unite us rather than those that seperate us.

    “Knowledge I must emphasize is not embedded in one party alone. We should criticize constructively and shun politics of bitterness and character assassination.

    “I would like to thank you for this great gathering of unity and love. Let me specifically thank the Honourable Minister of State Petroleum (Gas) who is also a former National Assembly member, whom I had paid a courtesy visit to, in his office last week and told him Akwa Ibom has the largest deposit of gas and that we should collaborate and work to advance our collective development.

    “Later this week, we will be undertaking a ground -breaking ceremony of a Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Depot at the Liberty Oil and Gas Free Zone, in Ibeno and next month, we will do same at Ibaka Gas hub.

    “Let me emphasize here that, the people that will be employed there, will not be based on party affiliations but qualified Akwaibomites. That’s the spirit I bring to governance.

    “The Senate President, His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio, is also a great leader from our dear State, a former Governor, and I respect him and I thank him for his pledge to work together with us, to bring development to our dear State.

    “I have said it severally that I will support and work harmoniously with the President and Commander -in -Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ,GCFR, and I will continue to support him.

    “I was elected to bring development to our state and not to fight those in constituted authority.”

    The night featured stirring goodwill speeches such as those from the Honourable Minister of Petroleum, Gas, Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, who said “this is a show of purposeful Government, the first time this is happening, and this is because you, our dear Governor, have a purpose for this State

    “As a representative at the Federal level. I bring you greetings from the President of Nigeria and also the mandate of the Senate President to be here with the team.

    “The Senate President is solidly behind you at the national level and you have the backing of the National Assembly.

    “In other words, you will not have issues of Abuja Front, you are the best and luckiest Governor. This is not a government of APC or PDP, this is a Government of Akwa Ibom State for Akwa Ibom people. By the time you finish your term, you will take Akwa Ibom to another level and it will be a challenge for whosever that will take it up from you to meet that level of development”

    Others who spoke glowingly of the night of unity, which also featured the cutting of Unity Cake, were Distinguished Senators Ita Enang, Helen Esuene, Ekong Sampson, Effiong Bob, Rt. Hon, Unyime Idem and the Director General of the Campaign Organization, H.E. Chief Assam Assam, SAN who all celebrated the spirit of unity and togetherness that the night represented.

    It was a great evening to see former political gladiators sitting together to break bread and set their sights on politics of development as opposed to politics of zero-sum game.

    All past and present members of the National Assembly except a few who were out of the country and had sent in their apologies, were all in attendance.

    Also in attendance were top government officials, Secretary to the State Government, Prince Enobong Uwah, other State Exco members, International President of Maintain Peace Movement, Barrister Emmanuel Enoidem, SAN, Engr. Uwem Okoko of Hensek Integrated Services, Prince Godwin Ntukudeh, the Political Adviser to the Governor, and other critical Stakeholders.”

  • COS Takes Delivery of Items Donated by Senior Citizens

    COS Takes Delivery of Items Donated by Senior Citizens

    Hon. Emmanuel Ironbar, the Chief of Staff to the Governor of Cross River State, Senator Bassey Otu has taken delivery of some items donated to the State by the National Senior Citizens Center.

    The Items include 30 protective underwear, 32 walking sticks; 25 guide cane, 30 quadri pod walking sticks and 25 hearing aids.

    Others were 25 automatic upper arm blood pressure machine, 25 blood glucose monitoring system ACCU-CHECK and 30 sets of crutches

    The Director General of NSCC, Dr Emem Omokaro handed over the items in Abuja to the representative of the Governor of Cross River State.

    Governor Otu thanked the NSCC boss for the kind gesture and lauded the achievement of the Centre in just a few years of its establishment.

    Gov Otu said his administration is willing to partner with the NSCC to enhance the welfare of the senior citizens.

  • My Takeaways From Access Holdings AGM

    My Takeaways From Access Holdings AGM

    By Etim Etim

    I attended the second Annual General Meeting of Access Holding Plc last on Friday mainly to discern the direction of its new leadership and pick up the strategic focus of the institution in the years ahead. The return of Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede to the Board as chairman last month created quite a buzz in the industry and within the institution. I take interest in studying leadership styles and so I was bent on attending this AGM.

    As a former staff, shareholder and student of strategy, I took in every moment of the two-hour meeting, listened to every word spoken, drew conclusions and and came away with six takeaways. Number 1: In all the comments, including the opening and closing prayers, it was clear that the shareholders have deep-seated faith in their new chairman, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, and the company’s leaders, Bolaji Agbede, the acting Group Chief Executive and Roosevelt Ogbonna, the managing director and chief executive of the bank, as well as others.

    There were loud cheers from the shareholders as the directors walked in, an understandable exhalation after a painful and mournful period. Aigboje himself went around shaking hands and hugging the shareholders. It was clear that the investors habour no apprehensions about the direction of their company; not a sense of it veering off from its time-tested traditions and the foundation that created the financial powerhouse which it has become. No doubt that they backed and passed all the resolutions overwhelmingly, thus paving the way for the bank to meet and surpass the N500 billion minimum share capital base.

    Two, I could glean deliberate efforts on the part of the chairman to project Bolaji and Roosevelt as the new leaders of the banking group; or should I say, he was careful not to overshadow them. I will mention an incident to buttress my point. After the meeting, Aigboje and Bolaji were facing two different cameras simultaneously, talking to two different group of journalists.

    In fact, I think Bolaji had even started her press conference before the chairman was ready. The bank’s communication team moved back and forth between the two to ensure that everything went well. I took it all in, remembering my days as a reporter. I was a business journalist covering events like this for many years and later, a PR executive managing things of this nature for a long time. I can’t recall seeing the chairman (least of all, an owner-chairman) and the CEO facing different cameras for post-event media briefing. In fact, it is the CEO that would be running around gathering the press for the chairman, who would first appear uninterested, before he saunters in with a magisterial arrogance! I think Aigboje just wants to encourage and build confidence in the team as emerging global leaders, even if he has to step behind.

    Three, and this is very important. Raising capital has never been a problem for Access Bank, and I can’t see it as one this time. Between 2004 and 2007, the bank raised an equivalent of $2 billion when Aigboje was the CEO in his 30s, leading the same team which is in charge today. Now, the bank is seeking to raise an equivalent of $300 million (N365 billion) from a significantly larger base.

    With a more visible brand and bigger footprint across Africa and beyond, I don’t foresee Access not meeting this milestone within a record time. Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Aigboje disclosed that Access Holdings will deploy digital technology in raising its capital. ‘’In 2004, we went around Nigeria and it led to the democratization of the capital market. Other banks followed suit and the number of banks’ shareholders increased in manyfold and our capital market grew immensely. This time, we have the digital technology that we would deploy fully’’, he said.

    Four, the Group’s decision to go by Rights Issue signals the its inclinations to protect the retail shareholders from dilution, and this is the promise Aigboje and Herbert made to them in 2002. They duo had told the shareholders then that they would always be carried along as the bank grows. Integrity is key in life. Five, there was a noticeably active participation of women shareholders at the AGM.

    In fact, the meeting commenced with the chairman requesting a shareholder, Mrs Bisi Bakare, to step forward and decorate him with the bank’s lapel pin to symbolize his assumption of duty. That simple, but touching task essentially set the tone for the rest of the event as the women shareholders participated fully and actively in the meeting. The roving microphone got to them more often than the men, or at least in equal measure, and the women expressed themselves loudly and clearly. The bank continues to lead in gender issues, just as in issues of sustainability and diversity.

    Six, and this is my final takeaway, Access continues to dream big and Access people sure believe in their dreams. When I joined as a staff in 2008, the dream then was to make the bank one of the five biggest in the country. It appeared as a pipe dream then. But only four years after, it was achieved! Now, by reiterating to the shareholders that Access Holdings will become Africa’s best banking group (benchmarked against the South African giant, Standard Bank Group), the chairman noted that the company will be Nigeria’s best stocks in terms of returns in the nearest future. Another big dream! As a onetime US First Lady, Eleanor Roosevelt said, the future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.

    Etim Etim, a Journalist and Political Analyst, writes from Abuja.

  • Uncertainty as Akpabuyo Clan Heads Reject New Paramount Ruler

    Uncertainty as Akpabuyo Clan Heads Reject New Paramount Ruler

    By Our Reporter

    Few weeks after the people of Efut kingdom in Cross River state rejected a Muri Munene/Paramount Ruler of the Efuts who Governor Bassey Otu endorsed, some clan heads of the Akpabuyo Traditional Rulers council have also rejected the appointment of HRH Etinyin Francis Effiom Edem as acting Paramount Ruler of the council area.

    Recall that the Governor, in a press statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, had appointed the clan head of Esuk Mba, Etinyin Edem, as acting Paramount Ruler, but this has not gone down well with some clan heads who described the appointment as an error.

    In a chat with our reporter, the Clan Head of Akansoko, HRH Archibong Ita, who claimed to speak the mind of other clan heads of the Akpabuyo Traditional Rulers Council, said the appointment took them by surprise.

    He explained that their worry stemmed from the fact that the newly appointed acting Paramount Ruler never bought the expression of interest form for the exalted traditional position when government rang the bell for that purpose, and wondered how his name suddenly cropped up as the most qualified.

    “It was only HRH Ekpenyong Ekpo and myself who bought the N100,000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira) expression of interest form but Etinyin Francis Edem did not buy. An expiration time was fixed for expression of interest but he never showed interest.

    “That time expired and we were waiting for government’s invitation to screen two of us who actually indicated interest when suddenly his name was announced as acting paramount ruler. This is pure injustice.”

    The Akansoko Clan Head further said that in line with their statute books, the paramount rulership position should be rotational, and alleged that Etinyin Edem was not qualified to become paramount ruler since he hails from the axis which has already produced three paramount rulers including the late HRH Lawrence Edet, who join his ancestors few months ago.

    HRH Ita said, “Three persons from the same axis of Esuk Mba, Edet Nsa and Ikot Edem Odo have so far occupied the position of paramount ruler, I mean same axis, whereas it is supposed to be rotational between that axis and Idundu, Akansoko and Ukpong Attai axis.

    “Akpabuyo local government area has 15 clans and ideally, it is the turn of the Idundu, Akansoko and Ukpong Attai axis which should produce the next Paramount Ruler but we were very surprised when some relatives of Etinyin Francis Effiom in Governor Otu’s government misled the Governor to appoint him as acting paramount ruler.

    “We have all agreed that this appointment cannot stand because Etinyin Francis Effiom is from same area that has produced three before. Even the last paramount Ruler, HRH Lawrence Edet, who join his ancestors few months ago was from there. It is the turn of our area to produce a paramount ruler,” he stated.

    However, in an interview, the appointee, HRH Etinyin Francis Edem, dismissed the allegation, saying the Governor did the right thing since among the clan head, he remained the most qualified for the position.

    “The Governor did not consult me though but I am very happy that he has appointed me.  As you may know, I am the most qualified clan head for the position and the Governor knows what he is doing. The people of Akpabuyo know what they want. As acting Paramount Ruler, I will ensure there is peace in Akpabuyo,” he stated.