From Judex Okoro, Calabar
The former finance minister, HRH Etubom Anthony Asuquo Ani, the Obong of Calabar-Elect, has promised to build a factory that will create 1000 jobs and also bring prosperity to the Efik Kingdom.
Etubom Ani, also former Foreign Affairs minister, who disclosed this at his Palace in Calabar when Ikoneto Community leaders paid him a solidarity visit, decried the injustice meted out on Ikoneto people in the selection of Obong of Calabar.
Ani stated that the Efik Kingdom, which has rich cultural heritage and personages, have risen rise from today, promising again to build a new palace that will contain all what the people need and represent the status and dignity of of the people.
He said: “We will not complain again but would do things to let people know that we are rising.We must make our youths have jobs, make them happy in their houses by making jobs available.
“A big factory is underway in Odukpani that will employ 1,000 people and will kickoff in 24 months time. I will make jobs available in your community so you don’t need to come out of your community”, Etubom Ani said.
On the Obongship tussle, he said: “The Ikoneto people have been cheated since 1973 when the Accord was signed. The Ikoneto people were supposed to assume the throne in 1990 but they voluntarily left it for Henshaw Town. I was selected to be Obong of Calabar in 2007 but they again overpowered the Ikoneto people, but this time they are determined to right the wrongs.
“They selected me to be Obong fifteen years ago in 2007 but they again overpowered us and took over. But like David fought Golaith, though we are not many but we have increased and have fought them. “We have no Obong of Calabar now. I am the Obong-Elect. The gods have agreed, the Ekpe, Ndem and even the witches have agreed that I am the Obong of Calabar” he stated.
On his part, Etubom Ephraim Etim Nsa from Ikoneto said his people sent him to come and celebrate with the Obong-Elect, expressing happiness that after so many years of marginalization, the Ikoneto people have finally produced the Obong of Calabar.
Also speaking, HRH Etubom Essien Ekpenyong Efio, the chairman of the Etuboms Traditional Council since 2007, said it was the turn of Western Calabar to become the Obong of Calabar, adding that the Adiabo and Creek people had earlier produced Obong of Calabar and it will not be fair for them to produce Obong when the Ikoneto people are still waiting.
Etubom Efio maintained that the position HRH Etubom Anthony Ani is occupying now is that of Ikoneto and when he completes his tenure it will rotate to another part, adding that the council taking place at Effanga Ansa Street is an illegal council because by the Supreme Court judgment, all the people there have gone with Edidem Abasi Otu.
On his part, former Nigeria Ambassador to Uganda and member of Etubom Traditional Council, Etubom Nya Eyoma Asuquo, said they are in the process of installing the new Obong and different houses will pay him homage in line with the Supreme Court judgment which said the people of Ikoneto should be given an opportunity to become Obong because it is their turn.
But the other contending group, had in a statement released to journalists in Calabar in January this year, argued that the Etubom Conclave of Efik kingdom had again re-selected and proclaimed His Eminence Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi-Otu V as the Obong of Calabar after the Supreme Court judgment had in january 13, 2023 ordered a fresh selection process for the Obong of Calabar stool.
The statement signed by HRH Etubom Ntiero Edem Ofiong Effiwat, Chairman, Etuboms’ Conclave, and the Secretary, HRH Etubom Edem Ita Esien Ededem, the Kingmakers read in part: “Following the judgment of the Supreme Court sitting at Abuja on 13th January,2023 ordering that the Etuboms’ Conclave, the kingmakers of the Palace of the Obong of Calabar should conduct another process of selecting Obong of Calabar in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of Etuboms’ Council 2002 and in strict compliance with the rules of natural justice, among other things, the Etuboms’ Council has promptly complied with that Court order by taking all the necessary steps leading to and convening the Etuboms’ Conclave and conducting another selection of Obong of Calabar.
“The turn to produce the next Obong of Calabar, after the demise of His Eminence Edidem (Prof) Nta Elijah Henshaw VI, being that of the Atai lboku group of Houses (in Western Calabar) as provided for under The Constitution of Etuboms’ Council 2002, the qualified Etuboms, who fall under this group, were communicated to and directed to produce and present their nominee to the Etuboms’ Conclave by Wednesday, January 18, 2023.