Kingmakers set to select new Obong of Calabar

Posted by admin Cross River, Headlines, State News Monday, July 8th, 2013

… As celebrations trail court ruling

From JUDEX OKORO, Calabar

Barely one week after the Appeal Court nullified the selection processes of the Obong of Calabar, the Etubom Traditional Council of Obong of Calabar is set to elect another Efik king.

Penultimate week, the Court of Appeal sitting in Calabar and presided over by Justice Mohammed Lawal Garba, nullified the selection process of the former Obong of Calabar, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V and disqualified Etubom Anthony Ani, the former minister of Finance in the late Abacha military regime, from contesting for the throne.

Investigations by Daily Sun revealed that at the weekend, the kingmakers (mostly the Etuboms) and some prominent Efik personalities were at the palace of the Obong located along Effanga Ansa Street, Henshaw town, Calabar, holding series of meetings and consultations on how to elect a new monarch without rancour.

The kingmakers, it was gathered, though not happy at the way and manner their revered traditional stool was dragged before the court, have resolved to work in harmony to choose a new “Treaty King and Grand Patriarch of the Efik Nation.”

Sources close to the palace revealed that the kingmakers were in serious deliberations and are expected to make a pronouncement on the proclamation of the Obong of Calabar shortly in line with the ruling of the Court of Appeal.

Members of one of the oldest traditional institutions in the country were said to have reached out to all families in the kingdom sensitising them on the need to speak with one voice this time as well as contribute positively towards re-building the stool and enthroning a credible person that would protect the institution.

Article 5(a) (ii) (iv) of the constitution, bestows on the Etuboms’ conclave of the Palace of the Obong of Calabar, the power and the right to carry out selection processes that would culminate in the emergence of a new Obong.

One of the Etuboms, who pleaded anonymity told Daily Sun that they would not waste time in the selection process as the court had already spelt out who is qualified to contest for the coveted throne.

The Etubom, who is a diehard supporter of the immediate-past Obong, Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V said, “within the week, a new Obong will be announced,” and that it would be final because efforts were being made to reach out to all aggrieved persons and families. With this ruling, the position of the incumbent Obong of Calabar appears to have been further consolidated as he is the only challenger.

“For us, the Appeal Court ruling has simplified the matter with regard to those Etuboms who are qualified to contest and the selection processes involved. All we are doing right now is to hold some meetings and clink glasses to the landmark judgment that brought honour and respect back to our kingdom.

“We will not be deterred in electing our monarch, no matter the litigations we have been subjected to. We still believe that this is the time for all Efik sons and daughters to be united to restore the past glory of the Efiks,” he stated.

-Sunwp_posts