Obong of Calabar-elect pledges loyalty to C’ River governor
By Seyi Odewale
The Obong of Calabar-elect, Etubom Anthony Ani, has pledged the total support of the Efik throne to Governor Bassey Otu’s administration to enable it to succeed.
Ani, who was elected recently following a Supreme Court judgement that deposed the former Obong of Calabar, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi-Otu V, pledged when the Ikoneto royal house paid him homage at his residence in Calabar last week.
Recall that the throne of the Obong of Calabar had been a subject of endless litigation until the Supreme Court of Nigeria on January 13, 2023, dethroned Abasi-Otu V and ordered a fresh election in which the deposed Obong was qualified to contest.
According to the apex court, the way and manner Abasi-Otu V was selected and proclaimed the Obong of Calabar was not under the principles of natural justice, and therefore a fresh election be held in tandem with the 2002 constitution of the Palace, in line with equity and natural justice.
Days after the Supreme Court judgement, Abasi-Otu V was re-elected the Obong of Calabar by 13 members of the Etubom Conclaves.
However, the re-election was stiffly opposed because the Etuboms who re-elected the Obong were said not to be part of the Etubom conclave recognized in the 2002 constitution which the Supreme Court referred to.
In compliance with the order of the Supreme Court, surviving members of the Etubom Council established in the 2002 constitution carried out another selection and election of Ani emerging as the Obong of Calabar-elect.
Speaking while receiving the Ikoneto royal house, Etubom Ani, a former finance minister, assured the delegation of a rebirth of the cultural and traditional heritage of the Efik kingdom.
He said starting this year, “We are going to build new palaces for all our deities to restore the traditional heritage and glory of the Efik kingdom.”
He added that the palace will work in partnership with the government to usher in an atmosphere where industries and job creation would thrive.
The monarch-elect further pledged to bring his wealth of experience in public service to bear on his new role as a traditional ruler to facilitate seamless economic growth and overall prosperity in the state as a whole.
He went down memory lane and recalled how his efforts helped to foster peace and stability in the Efik nation, regretting that despite the sacrifices, his Ikoneto lineage continued to suffer marginalization and opposition in ascending the Efik throne.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Etuboms Traditional Council in 2002, HRH Etubom Essien Ekpenyong Efiok of the King Eyo Nsa royal house of Creek Town, in an interview with journalists shortly after the ceremony, said Western Calabar is made up of three principalities – Creek Town, Adiabo and Ikoneto.
“The position Anthony Ani is occupying now is that of Ikoneto. If he completes it the circle will start again from Creek Town. The judgement of the Supreme Court did not disqualify Anthony Ani. The Supreme Court allowed Ekpo Okon Abasi-Otu to re-contest but he refused. A memo was sent to him,” he said.
On his part, Etubom Nya Asuquo said the homage was part of the process for the installation of the new Obong.
