In a swift political move, Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has, within less than two years in office, removed two traditional rulers, raising eyebrows across the state.
His most recent action came on January 3, 2025, when he suspended His Highness Okkn Archinong Eke, the village head of Esuk Utan, alongside the entire village council.
While the suspension letter, signed by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Gill Nsa, did not specify the reasons for the decision, it pointed to allegations against the village head and council.
As part of his directive, Governor Otu has tasked the Calabar Municipal Traditional Rulers Council (CMTRC) with investigating these allegations and reporting back within a week.
In the interim, the governor has ordered the Obutong clan council to form a five-member committee to oversee the affairs of Esuk Utan until the investigation concludes.
This latest development follows a similar controversy in April 2024, when Governor Otu removed His Royal Highness Etinyin Archibong Ita, the head of the Akansoko community in Akpabuyo Local Government Area.
Archibong Ita had served as acting Paramount Ruler after the death of the former ruler but voiced strong objections when the governor appointed a new leader, insisting that clan heads should have been consulted for the selection.
The governor instead appointed HRH Etinyin Francis Effiom Edem Efa, Clan Head of Esuk Mba Clan, as the new Paramount Ruler of the area.
