Governor Umo Eno
Paramount Rulers of Ikot Ekpene and Oro Nation have apologized to the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno for shunning an earlier meeting convened by him.
The Governor had played host to the Paramount Rulers drawn from all the 31 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state to seek ways of resolving the lingering issues around the leadership of the President General of the Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers on Tuesday at the State Executive Council chambers in Uyo.
Recall that the State House of Assembly had recently amendment the Akwa Ibom State Traditional Rulers Council edict that made the office of the President General permanent with the Ibibio race and this did not go down well with the paramount rulers of other ethnic groups in the state.
In a release from the Government House Media Unit, said in the rescheduled meeting with the governor, the Paramount Ruler of Mbo, HRM Ogwong Okon Asuquo Abang, apologized on behalf of the paramount rulers from Oro Nation for not attending the first meeting earlier called by the Governor to resolve the matter.
Governor Umo Eno (in suit) taking a shut with the Paramount Rulers after the meeting on Tuesday.
Similarly, the Paramount Ruler of Etim Ekpo, HRM Professor Amanam Udoh, also apologized to the governor for not being present at the earlier meeting.
On his part, the Paramount Ruler of Ibesikpo Asutan Edidem Clement Ekpenyong, thanked the governor for calling the meeting and promised to work with his colleagues to resolve the issue.
Governor Eno who accepted the apology, promised to do everything within his power to maintain peace, equity and justice and asked the Paramount Rulers from the 31 LGA to reciprocate his gesture in their respective domains in the state.
Amid the calm and cordial atmosphere at the meeting, the governor promised to sit down with the paramount rulers to look into how the matter can be resolved, but asked that, the case instituted against the state government by a cross section of the paramount rulers of Annang, Oro and Obolo extractions, be withdrawn first so that government may not be in contempt of court.
