The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly (AKHA) has resolved controversies that arose during the Second Amendment of the Traditional Rulers Council law last year.
The Office of the President-General to last four would be ceremonial and be rotated among the three ethnic groups in the state.
Consequently, the House has given an accelerated hearing for a law to further amend the Traditional Rulers Law Cap 155 Law of Akwa Ibom State 2022 (as amended).
The Speaker, Elder Udeme Otong, who presided over plenary directed the Clerk to read the Executive bill at plenary on Friday, September 20, 2024.
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The bill which captured 11 section amendments was received by the House for legislative consideration after the member for Eket State Constituency, Hon. Nsidibe Akata moved for its receipt and was seconded by Hon. Udobia Friday Udo of Esit Eket/Ibeno State Constituency.
The bill was given an accelerated hearing as the House dissolved into the Committee of the Whole to consider the amended sections after its second reading.
After legislative scrutiny at the Committee of the Whole, these 11 amendments were upheld stating in part that “the President-General shall be the ceremonial head of the Council and shall represent the Council at the National and international levels.
“The President-General shall be appointed by the Governor for a period of four (4) years which may be renewed for another period of four (4) years at the Governor’s discretion.
“The Office of the President-General shall be rotational amongst the three major ethnic groups in the State.”
Other sections captured how an erring Traditional Ruler should be disciplined which is under the prerogative of the Governor to regulate such hearings and the decision of suspension or disciplinary action will follow customary law guidelines.
Also, the amendment captured the penalty for the creation of Government certificated Chieftaincy title contrary to the provision of the amended TRC law.
According to the amended law, the composition of the Traditional Rulers Council shall comprise the President-General (who shall be a Paramount Ruler), the Chairman (who shall be a Paramount Ruler) and all Paramount Rulers in the State.
The tenure of office of the Chairman and members of the Council shall be a period of two (2) years from the date of their appointments, except the President-General and the Paramount Rulers.
While introducing the bill, the Deputy Leader of the House, Rt. Hon. Otobong Bob, noted that Governor Umo Eno, who is a peaceful leader, had decided to resolve controversies that arose during the Second Amendment of the TRC law last year.
Other members spoke unanimously, stating that the Third Amendment bill will smoothen all the gray areas observed in the law.
The short title of the bill reads “The Traditional Rulers Law (3rd Amendment) Law and shall come into force on the 20th day of September, 2024.
The Speaker, Otong directed the Clerk of the Assembly, Mrs NsikakAbasi Orok, to communicate the House’s decision to the Governor.
