Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, has handed over eight brand-new official vehicles to paramount rulers who were yet to benefit from the state government’s vehicle provision, in a move aimed at strengthening the traditional institution and enhancing its effectiveness in grassroots governance.
The vehicles were presented on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, through the Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, who represented the Governor at the Third Quarterly Meeting of the Cross River State Traditional Rulers Council in Calabar.
Addressing the royal fathers, Governor Otu reaffirmed his administration’s recognition of the traditional institution as an indispensable partner in governance, describing traditional rulers as custodians of cultural heritage, guardians of community values and critical stakeholders in maintaining peace, unity and development.
He noted that the closeness of traditional rulers to the people placed them in a strategic position to understand the needs and challenges of their communities, adding that their knowledge and influence remained essential to effective grassroots administration.
According to him, the provision of official vehicles was a practical demonstration of his administration’s commitment to addressing the operational challenges of traditional rulers and enabling them to discharge their responsibilities more effectively.
“The support we give to the traditional institution must go beyond words. We recognise the important responsibilities you carry, and it is our duty to provide practical assistance that will enable you to serve your communities better,” the Governor said.
On the delay in issuing certificates to some newly appointed chiefs, Otu disclosed that he had directed the Department of Chieftaincy Affairs to coordinate the verification and processing of eligible appointments to facilitate the immediate signing and release of their certificates.
He urged the royal fathers to sustain their partnership with government by identifying community needs, protecting public infrastructure and bringing pressing concerns in their respective domains to the attention of relevant authorities, assuring them that his administration would continue to address their concerns with seriousness and respect.
Speaking on the 2027 general elections, the Governor disclosed that his administration would soon commence visits to traditional rulers’ domains to engage with residents, present its achievements and seek another mandate. He also appealed to the royal fathers to support APC candidates across elective positions, including President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Cross River State Traditional Rulers Council and Paramount Ruler of Abi, HRM Ovai (Elder) Edward Osim, acknowledged the Governor’s support for the traditional institution, describing the provision of official vehicles as an encouragement to royal fathers in the discharge of their duties.
Osim expressed appreciation for the gesture and called for continued cooperation between traditional rulers and government, noting that the intervention would further motivate the royal fathers in their engagement with government and community development responsibilities.
Also speaking, the Paramount Ruler of Obanliku, HRM Amb. Dr. Uchua Amos Uyimulam Item, who delivered the vote of thanks on behalf of the vehicle recipients, expressed gratitude to the Governor, saying the vehicles would improve their mobility and enable them to attend to their traditional responsibilities more efficiently.
He noted that the vehicles would make it easier for the royal fathers to move around their domains and respond to community needs, while the highlight of the meeting was the formal handover of the eight vehicles to the beneficiaries.
By Ukongikwen Adie
