Calabar Monarch Gives Ndi Igbo Leadership In Calabar 24 Hours To Withdraw Invitation On New Yam Celebration

By Ndifreke BASSEY Jnr

The Paramount Ruler of Calabar South local government area, His Royal Majesty Etubom Nyong Efflom Okon Etim Ewa 1 (JP), has given Ndi Igbo twenty- four hours to withdraw the invitation announcing the celebration of new yam festival and 33rd Anniversary of Eze Igbo, Sir Emmanuel A. Ezenwenyi on the throne.

Chief Ezenwenyi had sent out letters signed by Prof. Marcellus Ojua and Dr. Ekene Odinka as chairmen and Secretary respectively inviting some guests to his 33 years anniversary on the throne.

Reacting to the invitation, the Paramount Ruler Okon Etim Ewa 1, in a statement made available to The Beagle News, said: "My attention has been drawn to a purported event by one chief Emmanuel Ezenwenyi regarding a certain new yam festival and subsequent invitation to the event.

"In the same letter of invitation, it intentionally invited and address one Muri Prof. Itam Hogan Itam as the Paramount Ruler of Calabar south Local Government Area. 

"This wrong title given is likely to cause a breach of public of peace and communal war in the Local Government Area.

"Consequently, I hereby appeal for calm and demand the immediate withdrawal of such invitation already in circulation in the public and demand for public apology in two national newspapers and Cross River Radio and copies of such publications sent to me within 24 hours.

"If the demands are not met with, I will have no other option than to seek public redress from a court of competent jurisdiction."

Recall that Igbo Community Calabar, the Eze Igbo and some stakeholders have been engaged in series of litigations and leadership squabbles.

This development has divided Ndi Igbo, especially in Calabar, and caused disaffection among the various associations that make up the various bodies.