The palace of Obong of Calabar has said the selection of the new monarch is the exclusive responsibility of its legitimate and recognised traditional council, headed by its chairman, Etubom Essien Ekpenyong Effiok, adding that any other one is illegitimate.

In a statement jointly signed by the chairman, Etubom Essien Ekpenyong and Secretary, Etubom Micah Archibong VI of the traditional council, the palace explained that the clarification was informed by a recent statement by the state governor concerning the stool.

According to the council, it had become imperative to brief the public following the state governor, Bassey Otu’s role in the alleged tussle.

They said, “Indeed, the governor’s recent statement indicates that he has undertaken A judicial review of the State High Court, and Supreme Court rulings, as well as the Constitution of the Obong’s Palace and interfaced with Royal Fathers.”

The Etuboms said not being aware of any panel of Judicial or Administrative review, not having been invited to appear or testify before any such body and as Royal Fathers not having had any interface with the Governor on the matter only goes to reinforce their impression that Governor Otu was only expressing his personal opinion.

It read: “As Governor to all, we are understandably uncomfortable that His Excellency embarked on such a judicial review and interfaced with other ‘Royal Fathers’ without any reference to us.”

According to the royal fathers, the high court’s case being relied on by the governor has no relevance in the matter with the Supreme Court of Nigeria Judgement delivered on 13th January 2023 except to the fact that the four respondents contemptuously disobeyed the orders of Hon. Justice Ukpai A. lbitam, by voting in the so-called selection of Etubom Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu as the Obong-elect of Calabar on the 18th of January 2023.

“In reality, the judgment of the High Court by Hon. Justice Obojor A. Ogar on the 30th of January 2012 setting aside the selection and subsequent crowning of Etubom Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu has been confirmed by both the Appellate and Supreme Courts.

“We categorically state that, there is absolutely no State High Court Judgement delivered on this subject matter on the 25th of September, 2022. An error such as this is a natural consequence of the independent review embarked by His Excellency.

“We refuse to be drawn into the tempting impression that, His Excellency The Governor, being from the same Efik family of Adiabo Principality, as Etubom Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu, has anything to do with His Excellency’s conclusions; but this again goes to emphasize how unsafe it was for our Governor to embark upon this journey unassisted.

“Be that as it may, we wish to point out that the Supreme Court of Nigeria Judgement of 13th January, 2013, set aside the selection of Etubom Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu as the Obong of Calabar on the 31st of March, 2008. This means that from 31st March 2008 to date, there is and has been no Obong of Calabar, as we are still in the selection process.

“The same judgment directed that the selection process be conducted afresh. The selection process can only be carried out by those who were in the Etuboms’ Council at that time and should be carried out according to the Constitution of Etuboms’ Traditional Council, 2002. There are only seven of us alive as of the time of the said Supreme Court judgment.

“Without fully appreciating the import of the said Supreme Court judgment, Etuboms who were not qualified to vote as at 31st March, 2008 and who had been capped by an impostor hurriedly came together and purportedly re-selected Etubom Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu on January 18, 2023. This again was an avoidable and unnecessary fundamental flaw.

“Accordingly, therefore, and in compliance with the Supreme Court judgment, we embarked on a fresh selection process. Unfortunately, however, Etubom Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu who was duly recommended by the Supreme Court that he could recontest the selection, refused to be part of it even though he was duly invited through the courier service to attend the exercise.

“In refusing the invitation to appear before the qualified Etuboms for screening and possible selection, we had no option than to screen the only other candidate presented to us by the Western Calabar Traditional Rulers’ Council – Etubom Dr Anthony Asuquo Ani. We found the said Etubom Anthony Asuquo Ani qualified, and have since selected and proclaimed him as the new Obong of Calabar.

“In compliance with the law, we notified the State Government and sought permission to conduct his coronation and for his recognition by the Cross River State Government. It does appear that His Excellency the Governor has rejected our request and has granted explicit recognition to Etubom Ekpo Okon Abasi Out as the Obong of Calabar.

“We want to state here without any ambiguity that the Governor’s decision is a serious challenge to the Supreme Court judgement as it is not within his power to do so. Let us state here therefore most equivocally that our Etuboms’ Council is the one recognized by the Supreme Court Judgment and Etubom Anthony Asuquo Ani is the Obong of Calabar of the Efik nation and his Traditional coronation shall be carried out accordingly.

“We will like those who may want to know that the selection of an Obong in Efik land is exclusively the responsibility of the Tradition which has nothing to do with politics.

“As far as we are concerned, the only legitimate and recognized Traditional Council is the one headed by me as the chairman.

“However, if his Excellency wishes to reconsider his position in this matter, we suggest that he sets up an independent and unbiased body to handle the situation or he submits the Supreme Court’s judgment to a court of competent jurisdiction to interpret the judgment for immediate implementation as we know that His Excellency lacks the power to set aside the Supreme Court’s judgment,” Efiok added. (Daily Sun)

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