By; VITALIS UGOH, Calabar
In compliance with the Supreme Court Ruling directing for fresh selection of candidates from Ikoneto Community in Western Calabar, the Etuboms Traditional Rulers Council has began the real process of filling the vacant stool.
It regretted that the judgement orders of the Supreme Court has not been compiled with as of today. consequent upon the foregoing, “we the surviving Etuboms have in line with the judgments referred to above, resolved to end this impasse by proceeding with the process of selecting an Obong of Calabar.”
“To this end, a meeting of the Etuboms Traditional Rulers Council, has been summoned to amongst other things call on the Western Calabar Traditional Rulers Council to forward names of qualifed nominees for the revered throne of the Obong of Calabar”.
This information was dropped by the Chairman/Regent, His Royal Highness, Etuboms Essien Ekpenyong Efiok, as part of decisions taken in a communique at the end of their meeting.
According to the communique, “the outcome of this process shall be made public after necessary traditional steps and procedures have been complied with “
The communique said, ” I urge all and sundry to continue to remain peaceful and law abiding .
“We the undersigned, being surviving members of the Etuboms Traditional Rulers Council of the Obong, wish to bring to the attention of the Entire Efik Kingdom, the present situation concerning the throne of the Efik Kingdom.
“The Supreme Court in Appeal No: SC.633/2013-Etubom Anthony Ani &Ors V. Etubom Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu & Ors and Appeal No:SC.634/2013 – Etubom Anthony Ani &Ors V.Etubom Essien Ekpenyong Efiok and Ors delivered on the 13th of January 2023, HRH, Etubom Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu was dethroned as the Obong of Calabar.
“This decision was reached by the Apex Court, consequent upon it’s finding, that he was selected and proclaimed in an illegal manner, not in consonance with the principles of equity, fairness, and natural justice.
“Consequently, to all intents and purposes, the throne of the Obong of Calabar has been declared “Vacant”.
“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, these are the only persons who have the authority to convene a meeting.”
Therefore, pursuant to article 5a(1) of the 2002 constitution of the Etuboms Council, the only Etuboms who can participate in the Conclave are, Etubom Essien Ekpenyong Efiok, Etubom Micah Archibong V1, Etubom Bassey O. A Duke, and Etubom Nyong Effiom Okon JP.
Others are, Etubom Cobham M. Boco, Etubom Okon E. O Asuquo and Etubom Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu.
The meeting was attended by the surviving members of the Etuboms Traditional Rulers Council of the Palace of the Obong of Calabar of 31st March, 2008, at the end of their meeting on May 15, 2023″.
The communique was signed by HRH. Etubom Essien Ekpenyong Efiok, Chairman/Regent, HRH, Etubom Micah Archibong V1, and HRM, Etubom Nyong Effiom Okon JP, Chairman Central Calabar Traditional Rulers Council and Paramount Ruler of Calabar South, local government area.
