CRSG acknowledges Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi V as Obong of Calabar... Displeased with tussle
Our Reporter.
The Government of Cross River State has officially made known it's position on the traditional stool of the Obong of Calabar expressing it's displeasure over the Kingship of Efik nation and the contention for the stool of the Obong of Calabar.
The Governor of Cross River State has through a release, Go/press/012/Vol:II/268 dated November 7, 2023 and duly signed by the Chief Press Secretary to governor, Comrade Emmanuel Ogbeche noted that " The stool of the Obong of Calabar is about six centuries old, steeped in the ethos of the Efiks and revered among the few first class Kings in Nigeria, hence the need to protect the throne from judicial, social and political scorn.
Otu stated that " after a judicial review of the High Court and supreme court's ruling as well as the constitution of the Obongs' palace and interface with royal fathers that the issue of waiver for qualification of a candidate to contest the Obongs' stool is untenable".
The release resolved that "The stipulations of the constitution of the Obongs'palace in respect of the procedure for the enthronement of any Etubom as the Obong of Calabar remain sacrosanct and that in all subsequent judgements of appellate courts, the letter and spirit of the High Court judgement of September 25,2023 has not been set aside nor it's binding effect on all parties diminished".
It further resolved that all parties must ensure the implementation of the judgement cited in the above to the later pointing out that Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi V remains the validly selected and elected Obong of Calabar and the Patriarch of the Efik Kingdom.
Accordingly, the release stated that the " Official pronouncement by the state government has granted explicit recognition to His Eminence Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi V as the Obong of Calabar and brings to final closure the speculation, acrimony and dissatisfaction that may have risen in the course of the tussle for this revered royal stool of the Efik Kingdom".
Consequently, the statement recommended that "His Eminence, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi V should as a matter of urgency and priority set up a reconciliation team whose primary duty is to bring the contending parties to a single harmonious peaceful and progressive rulership of the Efik Kingdom ".
Recall that Recently Etubom Anthony Asuquo Ani, former Finance Minister had laid claim to the Obongs' stool claiming that he is the Obong -elect and had commence processes that could lead to his coronation lately.
