Cross River Governor Ben Ayade has dethroned Itam Hogan Itam, paramount ruler of Calabar south council, for dabbling in politics.
In a letter dated May 11 and signed by Special Adviser to the governor on chieftaincy affairs, Adoga Victor, announced this in a letter.
The state government also ordered Mr Itam to immediately return the certificate of recognition issued to him by the state’s department of chieftaincy affairs in the governor’s office.
Mr Itam was said to have participated in a meeting of the southern senatorial district caucus of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) where Arthur Jarvis reportedly endorsed as a consensus governorship candidate for the 2023 election.
Mr Donald Duke, ex-governor of the state, presided over the meeting.
The monarch’s conduct contravened the Cross River state traditional edict.
“Following the report of the panel set up by the Cross River State Traditional Rulers Council (CRSTRC) and the approval of His Excellency, you have been removed as the village head, clan head of Ukem and paramount ruler of Efuts with immediate effect to enable you go ahead to do your partisan politics,” the letter reads.
“You have therefore ceased to be so recognised and cannot operate as such forthwith.”
