Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has revealed that the recent protest in the state was orchestrated by failed politicians. The protest was against the installation of the President-General of the Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers in Uyo, the state capital.
According to Governor Eno, the installation of the President-General was endorsed by all the traditional rulers from the 31 local government areas of the state. Before he came into office, the paramount rulers had a meeting where they made this decision. The 31 paramount rulers, except for those who were sick or deceased, agreed that the traditional rulers council should be elevated to the Supreme Traditional Rulers Council. They appointed the President-General, who is the Oku Ibom Ibibio. They also chose Vice President General 1 as the Nkuku Annang and Vice President General II as the Ahta Oro. This decision was made to enable Akwa Ibom to have a role in the national traditional rulers council.
Governor Eno emphasized that he did not appoint the President-General or interfere with the process. The traditional rulers themselves decided to rotate the chairmanship of the Traditional Rulers Council, as it has always been. Only one suggestion was made by the Paramount Ruler of Itu, who proposed a slight modification. This suggestion was well received, and it led to the creation of the two other offices (VPG 1 and VPG II).
Governor Eno challenged any traditional ruler in the state to deny being present at the meeting where these decisions were made. He made it clear that failed politicians were behind the protest and that the installation of the President-General was a legitimate process endorsed by the traditional rulers themselves.
