A coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Akwa Ibom State has issued a plea to the State House of Assembly, urging them to swiftly pass a bill seeking to amend the traditional rulers’ law, specifically Cap 155 of the State 2022.
The CSOs have also called upon Governor Umo Eno to promptly assent to the bill once it is passed, emphasizing that its approval is long overdue.
During a joint press conference held in Uyo on Friday, the coalition, consisting of the Center For Human Rights and Accountability Network (CHRAN) led by Otuekong Franklyn Isong; People’s Rights to Life Development Foundation led by Comrade Ifot N. Ifot, and Vital Partners for Development led by Dr. Victor David, highlighted that the passage of this bill into law would elevate the status of the Traditional Institution of Akwa Ibom State.
The CSOs noted that this legislation would enable the Oku Ibom Ibibio, the highest traditional stool in Akwa Ibom, to be on par with other traditional stools in various states, such as the Sultan of Sokoto, Obong of Calabar, Olu of Warri, Emir of Kano, Oba of Benin, and Obi of Onitsha, among others.
Furthermore, they emphasized that this law would provide an opportunity for the royal fathers in the state to be treated with the same respect as their counterparts from other states when attending the national council of chiefs meetings in Abuja.
According to the CSOs, “We urge for the swift passage of this bill into law so that our royal fathers can be accorded the same respect as their counterparts in other states. We cannot continue in this manner.”
In addition, the coalition called upon the political class and government at all levels to ensure the full implementation of this law once it is passed. They emphasized the importance of granting maximum respect to the royal fathers, as is practiced in other states, and expressed their disappointment with the minimal respect shown to them in the past.
“Once the amended law is passed, we will have Vice Presidents 1 and 2, who shall be appointed by the governor, apart from Oku Ibom, Akwa Okuku Annang, and Ata Oro from the three ethnic groups in the state. Oku Ibom will become the highest stool from the largest ethnic group,” the coalition further explained.