Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has mandated the immediate cessation of all activities related to the formation of new clans and villages. This decision stems from the fact that the initiative lacked official government authorization.
Ededem Ani, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, issued the statement on behalf of the Governor. The directive targets the office of the Special Adviser on Chieftaincy Affairs, which had been overseeing the unauthorized process. According to the state government, this activity was never sanctioned, and all associated efforts—including verification and documentation—must stop at once.
The government noted that a legal challenge currently before the High Court in Calabar also influenced the decision to pause the project. Furthermore, the administration emphasized that any future community status changes require the explicit approval of the Governor. The Special Adviser has been instructed to comply with this order immediately to ensure that community recognition processes align with established legal protocols.
