Follow Us on Google
Etubom Traditional Rulers Council (ETC) of the Palace of the Obong of Calabar have called on Cross River state Governor, Sen. Bassey Otu, to set up an independent and unbiased body to look into the disputed Efik king’s stool.
The Etubom Traditional Rulers Council (ETC) loyal to Etubom Anthony Ani, said the government took hasty decision by recognising Etubom Ekpo Okon Bassey Otu as the new Obong of Calabar without recourse to a subsisting Supreme Court judgement, calling for the interpretation of the Supreme Court judgement to settle the tussle over who is the authentic Efik King.
Addressing journalists alongside other members of the council in Calabar on Wednesday, the Chairman, HRH Etubom Essien Ekpenyong Efiok, said the government’s recognition of Ekpo Okon Abasi-Otu as the Obong of Calabar was nothing but a reflection of the personal position of the state governor, Prince Bassey Otu.
The state government had in a press statement titled “the official position of the Cross River state government on the traditional stool of the Obong of Calabar,’ and signed by Emmanuel Ogbeche, chief press secretary to the Governor, affirmed HRM Ekpo Okon Abasi-Otu as the Obong of Calabar, calling on
However, HRH Essien Ekpenyong Efiok, who is of the Etubom Anthony Ani-led faction, argued that “in appraising the said Press release, we cannot but note that the emphasis therein, is in conveying the personal views of His Excellency, Governor Bassey Otu.
“Indeed, the statement indicates that the Governor has undertaken “A judicial review of the State High Court, and Supreme Court rulings, as well as the Constitution of the Obong’s Palace and interfaced with Royal Fathers.
“Not being aware of any panel of Judicial or Administrative review, not having been invited to appear or testify before any such body and as “Royal Fathers” not having had any interface with the Governor on the matter only goes to reinforce our impression that this is the personal position of His Excellency, The Governor.
“As Governor to all, we are understandably uncomfortable that His Excellency embarked on such a Judicial review and interfaced with other “Royal Fathers” without any reference to us.
“We refuse to be drawn into the tempting impression that, His Excellency The Governor, being from the same Efik family of Adiabo Principality, as Etubom Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu, has anything to do with His Excellency’s conclusions; but this again goes to emphasize how unsafe it was for our Governor to embark upon this journey unassisted.”
The legitimate Etuboms’ Traditional Rulers Council therefore, stated that “if his Excellency wishes to reconsider his position in this matter, we suggest that he sets up an independent and unbiased body to handle the situation or he submits the Supreme Court’s Judgement to a court of competent jurisdiction to interpret the judgement for immediate implementation as we know that His Excellency lacks the power to set aside the Supreme Court’s Judgement.”
Recall also that the tussle for the throne of the Obong of Calabar was a subject of litigation that culminated in the Supreme Court Judgement of 13th January, 2023, which set aside the selection and election of Ekpo Okon Abasi-Otu and ordered a fresh selection and election process, whereby the Apex court stated that the deposed Obong was qualified to contest again for the throne.
Days after the Supreme Court sacking, Ekpo Okon Abasi-Otu was re-elected and proclaimed the Obong of Calabar on January 18, 2023 by the Etubom Conclaves.
The re-election was conveyed in a statement signed by 13 members of the Etubom Conclaves and read to journalists by the Chairman, His Royal Majesty, Etubom Ntiero Effiwatt, at the palace of the Obong.
However, the Etubom Anthony Ani-led faction had rejected the reelection of Ekpo Okon Abasi-Otu as the Obong of Calabar, insisting that the process that led to his reelection was not in accordance with the Supreme Court Judgement.
The ETC also dismissed the rumour making the rounds that Ani was not qualified to contest, saying the Supreme Court case with Suit no SC633/2013 held on page 24, paragraph 1) that “however, as the two (2) sets of respondents submitted and rightly so, in my view, even if the requirements of qualification to view for the said office could be waived, the Western Council was not in position to waive the requirement.
“Also, page 15, paragraph 1, lines 31-34 states that aaprovision of the constitution of the Royal Court of the Obong of Calabar, even if it can be waived in law, the waiver must be by the Etuboms’ Council of the Obong’s Palace who may have the authority over it”
The ETC maintained that in line with the Supreme Court judgement, the Mbiabo Ikoneto Traditional Rulers’ Council wrote to the Etuboms’ Traditional Rulers’ Council on May 19, 2023 and got waiver which qualified Ani to contest and be selected as Obong-Elect of Obong Palace.
