By Olusegun Olanrewaju
The surviving members of the Etuboms’ Traditional Rulers Council of the Palace of the Obong of Calabar have signalled the commencement of processes for the selection of a new Obong of Calabar.
This follows the Supreme Court judgement of January 13, 2023, which dethroned the Obong of Calabar, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi-Otu (V), after 15 years of legal tussle.
The Etuboms’ Traditional Rulers Council was constituted on March 31, 2008.
The apex court, in its judgement, ordered a fresh election, saying the deposed Obong was qualified to contest for the stool.
In complying with the order, the Etubom Conclaves re-elected Abasi-Otu (V) and proclaimed him the Obong of Calabar on January 18, 2023, but a group of kingmakers who are members of the surviving Etuboms’ Traditional Rulers Council of the Palace of the Obong of Calabar as 2008, faulted the process, saying it did not comply with the order of the Supreme Court.
In a communique jointly signed by Essien Ekpenyong Efiok, Micah Archibong, and Nyong Effiom Okon, and read during a meeting with some Efik sons on Tuesday at the Old Customary Court, the kingmakers noted that the traditional site known as ‘Esop Efik’ at Eyamba Street is where the Obong must be selected.
They noted that any authentic Obong of Calabar has to receive spiritual acceptance at ‘Esop Efik’ before he is recognised as Obong.
The Council affirmed that only the surviving Etuboms of the Traditional Rulers Council constituted as of March 31, 2008, are qualified to elect a new Obong of Calabar, in line with the judgement of the Supreme Court.
The communique read in part, “We the undersigned, being surviving members of the Etuboms’ Traditional Rulers Council of the Palace of the Obong of Calabar as of 31st March 2008, wish to bring to the attention of the entire Efik Kingdom the present situation concerning the throne of the Efik Kingdom.
“Under the judgements of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in Appeal No: SC.633/2013—Etubom Anthony Ani & Ors v. Etubom Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu and Ors and Appeal No: SC.634/2013— Etubom Anthony Ani & Ors v. Etubom Essien Ekpeyong Efiok and Ors delivered on the 13th of January 2023, HRH. Etubom Ekpo Okon Abasi-Otu (V) was dethroned as the Obong of Calabar.
“This decision was reached by the Apex Court, consequent upon its finding, that he was selected and proclaimed illegally, not in consonance with the principles of equity, fairness, and natural justice. Consequently, the throne of the Obong of Calabar has been declared ‘Vacant’.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the judgement of the Supreme Court is quoted verbatim as follows: But it is my view that the justice of this case demands that the Western Calabar Traditional Council which was mandated to select an Etubom from amongst themselves who shall be the new Obong should go back to the drawing board and start the process on a clean slate.
“This is because the way and manner in which the first respondent was selected and proclaimed as the Obong of Calabar, polluted the selection process or should I say muddied the waters so that there is no clear view of when and where to say this far and no more in the process of selecting the next Obong. In the circumstance, the best way to go is for the Western Council to conduct another process to select an Etubom who shall be the new Obong of Calabar.”
“By order of the Supreme Court, the selection of a new Obong of Calabar must be based on the 2002 constitution of the Etuboms Traditional Rulers Council, again and by implication of the said judgements, the surviving members of the Etuboms Traditional Rulers Council as constituted in 2008 are seven in number, these are the only persons who have the authority to convene a meeting of the Etuboms Traditional Rulers Council for this purpose.
“Therefore, according to article 5 a (i) of the 2002 Constitution of the Etuboms Council, the only Etuboms who can participate in the Etuboms Conclave are the following Etuboms: Essien Ekpenyong Efiok; Micah Archibong VI; Bassey O.B Duke; Nyong Effiom Okon JP; Cobham M. Boco; Okon E.O Asuquo; and Ekpo Okon Abasi-Out.
“This is so because all other persons who subsequently became Etuboms thereafter were all not members of the Etuboms Traditional Rulers Council as of 31st March 2008.”
