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By Joseph Kingston

As politicians in Cross River state continue to shower their constituents, stakeholders and supporters with cash and other empowerment items like cars, generators, clippers, dryers, laptops, DSTV decoders/discs amongst others, traditional rulers in the state have expressed disappointment that they are conspicuously left out.

Speaking at an empowerment events organised by the Senator representing Cross River South in the Senate, Senator Bassey Otu, where people were given SUVs and other vehicles, Chairman of the state Council of Chiefs and Paramount Ruler of Bakassi, Etinyin Etim Okon Edet said exclusion of traditional rulers by politicians was ill advised.
Edet, who claimed to speak the mind of his colleagues, said although Royal Fathers are not partisan politicians, they have roles to play on who emerges as political leaders in their respective domains.

He said, “one thing is certain. We are all political animals, and even though, as Traditional Rulers, we are not partisan, it does not mean that we do not have political relevance. We control people and could decide where the pendulum swings.”
While commending Otu for his various empowerment programmes, the Monarch called on other politicians to borrow a leaf from the Senator’s dispositions, but believed that “when next this type of event is organized, we hope the royal fathers will not be ignored.”

Corroborating, the Munene of Efut Kingdom, His Majesty, Effiong Okokon Mbukpa V11, said it was an anomaly for politicians not to consult traditional rulers while preparing for electioneering contest, arguing that as fathers, “we are in the best position to advice.”
The monarch also frowned at the general insecurity in the country; including Cross River state which, in recent time, had been invaded by dare devil individuals who are daily abducting babies and children across the state.

“Three days ago, four children were abducted in this vicinity (Calabar South). I had to personally report the matter to the State Security Service, SSS, and the State Security Adviser, Rekpene Bassey. Within our powers as traditional rulers we cannot do much to stop this but we have asked vigilante groups to double their efforts, but these abductors are armed with dangerous weapons, “he said.
He charged those whose responsibility is the protection of lives and property to double their effort, adding “I appreciate what the President is doing, I appreciate what our military is doing, but they should please do more.”