Leadership Shake Up in Odidem Egbaninjo Family as Acting Chairman Emerges

By Inemesit Friday 

A major leadership shake up has rocked the Odidem Egbaninjo Family of Big Qua Town in Calabar Municipality following the suspension of the family head, Daniel Bassey Odo, after an emergency meeting held on November 13, 2025.

In a resolution made public after the meeting, the family announced a unanimous vote of no confidence in Odo, citing what they described as a pattern of administrative misconduct. 

According to the notice, the suspended family head was accused of gross mismanagement of family resources, unauthorized sales and transfers of family land to third parties, and high handedness in the handling of family affairs.

The statement added that, with the vote of no confidence, Odo is no longer recognized as the Esinjo and cannot act or speak for the Odidem Egbaninjo Family.

In a swift move to stabilize leadership, the family appointed Eld. Hon. Ekpo Edet Ekpo as the new Acting Chairman of the Odidem Egbaninjo Family, covering the Big Qua Clan, Ediba Qua Clan, and Nyangasang Qua Clan. 

The notice also issued a strong caveat to the public, warning that anyone dealing with the suspended family head in any official capacity does so at personal risk.

The suspension and new appointment were endorsed by key traditional and family leaders, including Esinjo Otoe Dr. Eric Bassey, Village Head of Otop Otop in Nyangasang Qua Clan, H.R.H. Ntoe Iso Iso Njeh, Clan Head of Ediba Qua Clan, and Eld. Mrs. Okima Okang Ekpo.

Copies of the resolution have been dispatched to traditional authorities such as the College of Atoe, the Ndidem’s Palace, the Qua Clan Constituted Assembly, and the Clan Head in Council for both Big Qua and Nyangasang.

The development underscores the quest within the Odidem Egbaninjo Family to restore order and decorum which the family is long reputed for, with the new Acting Chairman expected to restore order and address the issues of resource management that triggered the crisis.