Governor Bassey Otu
By Ita Williams, Calabar
Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, has announced the appointment of the Paramount Ruler of Abi local government area, His Royal Majesty, Oval (Elder) Solomon Osim Edward, as the new chairman of the Cross River State Council of Chiefs.
A press statement, signed on Friday by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof Anthony Owan Enoh, outlined that the appointment was made in accordance with the powers granted to the governor by section (3) of the Council of Chiefs Law, Cap C15 Laws of Cross River State 2004.
The new chairman’s tenure, effective from June 21, 2024, is set for two years.
This decision follows the dissolution of the previous state Council of Chiefs, authorized by Governor Otu on June 14, 2024.
The move came after the state House of Assembly passed a resolution urging the governor to terminate the appointment of His Royal Majesty, Dr. Etinyin Okon Edet, who had exceeded the allotted term.
Etinyin Dr. Etim Okon Edet, who had been appointed chairman in 2011 by former Governor Liyel Imoke for a two-year term, had overstayed in the position for over a decade.
The transition marks a major change in the leadership structure, bringing a fresh perspective to the council’s operations and responsibilities.
