C'RIVER GOVT DECLARES STAND ON TRADITIONAL STOOL TITLE
The Cross River State Government has stated its stand on the current tussle over the traditional stool of Muri Munene of the Efut among the different Efut clans of Calabar South and Odukpani Local Government.
Addressing members of the Efut Combined Assembly at Anantigha, Calabar South during the ongoing Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) state campaign in the area, Governor Liyel Imoke informed the council that the state government was studying the report of the panel which was set up to wade into the tussle among the factions which claimed right to the traditional stool.
According to the governor who urged all the factions in the case to remain calm, 'the administration is a responsible government which believes in due process and truth no matter how long it takes,' adding that it was incumbent on government to intervene through the correct process so that the outcome would be legitimate.
Imoke disclosed that the final report of the panel, which the state government set up to investigate the claims had been concluded and the final report submitted, saying the will of the people would be upheld.
The governor was reacting to a request made by the Secretary of the Efut Combined Council, Muri Godwin Etim, that the state government should make known its stand on the claims for the title of Muri Munene of Efut and Paramount Ruler of Calabar South Local Government Area following the death of its last monarch, Muri Ita Okokon Ebukaebuka in 2009.
At the palace of Obong of Calabar, the governor restated government decision to elevate and maintain the status of the traditional institution to complement its effort and solicited the cooperation and support of the institutions to enable the PDP-led government bring more development and growth to the area.
He said the state government would soon embark on the asphalting of roads in Calabar South LGA as well as commence a street lighting project for the area while calling on the traditional rulers to sensitise their subjects on the one man one vote posture of President Goodluck Jonathan as well as mobilise them to vote.