May 12, (THEWILL) – Cross River State governor, Professor Ben Ayade, has sacked the Paramount Ruler of Calabar South Local government area, Muri Professor Itam Hogan Itam, for dabbling into politics.
The governor ordered the immediate withdrawal of certificate of recognition issued to him, to allow him participate fully in politics.
The order convening the certificate withdrawal is contained in a letter addressed to Professor Itam and dated 11th May, 2022.
The letter which was sighted by our correspondent, is signed by the Special Adviser to the governor on Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr Adoga Ifop Victor.
The state government through the letter, said the paramount ruler ceases to be so recognised and cannot operate as such forthwith.
The government directed Professor Itam to surrender his certificates of recognition to the Department of Chieftaincy Affairs, Governor’s Office, Calabar immediately.
The letter reads in part, “following the report of the panel set up by the Cross River State Traditional Rulers Council (CRSTRC) and the approval of His Excellency, you have been removed as the village head, Clan head of Ukem and Paramount Ruler of Efuts with immediate effect, to enable you go ahead to do your partisan politics.
“You have, therefore, ceased to be so recognised and cannot operate as such forthwith”, the government said.
Professor Itam, a renowned surgeon, courted trouble when he attended a People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Southern Senatorial District caucus, that recently met and chose one of its governorship aspirant, Mr Authur Jarvis, as the party’s consensus candidate for Cross River South for the 2023 governorship election.
This action, the government feels is an act contrary to the edict establishing the state traditional rulers council.
The embattled monarch was recognised by the government few years ago, following a squabble for the throne that pitched Professor Itam against the Efut Combined Assembly, a body that selects a Muri Munene for the Efuts.
Meanwhile, Efut Combined Assembly, the apex decision making body of the Efuts, presided over by Muri Munene Maurice Okon Eyo, the Supreme head of Efut Combined Assembly and president, Calabar South local government Traditional Rulers Council, has thanked Governor Ben Ayade for promptly intervening in the matter which it described as a right step in the right direction and to deter further occurrences.
A release signed by the Secretary General of Efut Combined Assembly, Ndabu Dr Godwin Bassey, called on all sons and daughters of Efut, both at home and in diaspora, as well as other members of the public to remain calm and go about their businesses as the people of Efut will soon present their leader to the government for recognition.
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.
