C’River: Gov. Otu appoints Osim as new chairman of traditional rulers Council

By Ene Ene, Calabar

The Governor of Cross River state, Prince Bassey Edet Otu has appointed a new chairman of cross river state traditional rulers Council,HRM Ovai (Elder) Solomon Osim Edward JP, paramount ruler of Abi local government area

The appointment is contained in a letter signed by the Secretary to the state government, Prof. Anthony Owan Enoh, dated Friday 21st June 2024 and issued to newsmen in Calabar.

Ovai Solomon Edward is taking over from the former chairman, Etinyin Etim Okon Edet who is the paramount ruler of Bakassi local government Area who was removed by the State House of Assembly for overstaying his 2 year tenure as stipulated by the state law.

The SSG in the statement also stated that the appointment of Ovai Edward was in line with section 3 of the Council of Chiefs law, cap C15 of the Cross River State law 2004.

The statement reads in parts:; “the Governor of cross river state, Prince Bassey Edet Otu, in exercise of the power vested in him by section 3 of the Council of Chiefs law Cap C15, of the cross river state Law 2004 has approved the appointment of His Royal Majesty, Ovai (Elder) Solomon Osim Edward JP, paramount ruler of Abi local government area as the Chairman, State Council of Chiefs”.

It also stated that the appointment of the new chairman is for a term of 2 years with effect from 21st of June, 2024

It would be recalled that prior to the appointment of HRH Ovai Solomon Edward, the state governor prince Bassey Edet Otu on the recommendation of the Cross River State House of Assembly, had dissolved the State traditional rulers Council on the 14th of June, 2024