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The Uyo tradition rulers council, presided over by the paramount ruler of Uyo local government, (Etebom) Sylvanus E. Okon NDM JP on the 11th day of December elected Chief Sunday Eyo Okon as the substantial Ette-idung of Use Offot Community.
The proceedings at the Uyo traditional Rulers council commenced at about 12:30pm on the above date and was witnessed by indigenes of Use Offot Community and members of the TRC amongst them included: the paramount ruler of Uyo (the president in council), secretary of the council, the clan head of Oku, Clan head of ikono, the village head of Uyo Offot and the village head of Ifa ikot Abia.
According to the secretary of the TRC, the TRC remains the highest traditional authority in the land that is entitled to settle traditional matters if such needs occur.
Reading aloud the establishing powers of the TRC by the secretary of the council, its was noted that the TRC has the right to conduct by-elections on cases where there is a tie in the election process of ette-idung by family heads.
In the case of Use Offot Community which comprises of 6 families, each of the two contenders for the position of ette-idung, garnered 3 votes apiece (representing 3 family heads apiece).
In a bid to finding lasting solutions to the power tussle in the community, the Uyo traditional rulers council duly issued out letters of notice to concerned parties inviting them to the TRC as confirmed by the secretary of the council.
On the above mentioned date, The family heads of Nnung Akwa, Nnung Abitit (contender) and Nnung Omum were all present at the TRC leaving out the family heads of Nnung Atai, Nnung Iyon and Nnung Ekong who were all absent. Among those absent also were the present village chairman and the other contender for the position of ette-idung who is from Nnung Akwa.
Acknowledging the issued letter, the paramount ruler of Uyo and the president of the council (Etebom) Sylvanus E. Okon NDM JP, confirmed that the absence of the other parties can not hinder the smooth proceedings of the council activities and insisted that the by-elections be conducted as the other contender who was also absent is eligible to stand for the elections in absentee since he has 3 votes already and also that the notice was sent to him as well.
Conducting the by-election by the Secretary of the TRC, The contender from Nnung Akwa Family, Chief Gregory Williams was allocated contestant number one (1) while Chief Sunday Eyo was allocated contestant number two (2).
Following the establishing laws of the TRC, only council members are eligible to vote except the president of the council who can only vote if there is a tie in the election result at the council.
The council members who voted in the by-election included the clan head of Oku, the clan head of Ikono, the village head of Uyo offot and the village head of Ifa ikot Abia.
After the votes were duly cast, contestant number one (1), Chief Gregory Williams had one vote while contestant number (2), Chief Sunday Eyo had three (3) votes, placing the the total votes of each contender at 4-6 respectively including the votes of the family heads.
Declaring Chief Sunday Eyo as the duly elected ette-idung of Use offot community, the paramount ruler of Uyo, (Etebom) Sylvanus E. Okon NDM JP lauded the transparency of the council members and the election process declaring that as the holder of the highest traditional office in Uyo, he has given his blessings to the new ette-idung of Use Offot Chief Sunday Eyo and warned against further distress in the matter but advised the ette-idung to run an all inclusive leadership without fear or favour devoid of hatred and bitterness.
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The president of the council directed the secretary to forward the outcome of the election to the ministry of local government and chieftaincy affairs for further documentation and issuance of certificate of office.
Since the declaration, supporters of the ette-idung elect have been drumming in jubilation about the community with assorted traditional displays in celebration.
So far , there has not been any uproar regarding the outcome of the TRC’s decision and all hands are on deck expecting the presentation of the certificate and inauguration proper of the ette-idung elect.
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