Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Edet Otu, has ordered the immediate termination of the ongoing Clan and Village Creation exercise in the state, declaring that the process was neither authorised nor approved by his administration.
The directive was issued through a statement by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Ededem Ani. The Governor’s attention had been drawn to the exercise being conducted by the Office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Chieftaincy Affairs.
According to the statement, the exercise “was neither authorised nor approved by his office” and “does not carry the imprimatur of the State Government, and cannot be allowed to continue or to be given any further effect.”
The government’s decision was also informed by a pending legal action before the High Court of Cross River State, Calabar, concerning the process.
Governor Otu directed that all activities connected with the exercise including the processing, verification or publication of any Clan or Village Creation List be terminated forthwith.
The directive further stated: “No further steps be taken by your office or any officer under your supervision towards the creation, recognition or conferment of Clan or Village status on any community pending further directive from the Government.”
It emphasised that the prior approval of the Governor remains a mandatory prerequisite for any clan or village creation exercise in the state.
“No Clan or Village Creation exercise may be embarked upon by your office, or any officer under its supervision, without the prior approval of His Excellency the Governor,” the Attorney-General warned.
Ani directed the Special Adviser on Chieftaincy Affairs to treat the Governor’s order with the seriousness it deserves and ensure strict and immediate compliance.
The development reaffirms the administration’s commitment to ensuring that processes relating to the recognition and administrative status of communities are conducted strictly within the framework of lawful governmental authority.