7 Etuboms begin selection processes for new Obong of Calabar

By PATRICK ABANG, Calabar –

Seven surviving Etuboms from the Obong of Calabar Traditional Rulers Council have commenced the process of selecting a new Obong of Calabar .

It would be recalled that the 7 Etuboms are the legitimate kingmakers mandated by the Supreme Court judgement on March 31st, 2008 to select the Obong of Calabar’.

In a communique issued on Monday in Calabar, The Cross River State capital, the Etuboms alleged that the judgement of the Apex Court has not been complied with as at today.

“We wish to bring to the attention of the entire Efik Kingdom the present situation concerning the throne of Efik Kingdom”

“By virture of that judgement in Appeal No: SC 633/2013- Etubom Anthony Ani and Others V. Etubom Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu and Others and Appeal no SC.634/2013- Etubom Anthony Ani and Others V. Etubom Essien Ekpeyong Efiok and others delivered on 13th January 2023”

“That Etubom Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu was selected and proclaimed in an illegal manner not in consonance with the principle of equity, fairness and natural justice”

“But it’s my view that justice of this case demand that Western Calabar’ Traditional Rulers Council which was mandated to select an Etubom from among themselves, who shall be the new Obong should go back to the drawing 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 processes”

“By the Apex Court Judgements the selection processes of a new Obong of Calabar must be based on the 2002 constitution of the Etubom Traditional Rulers Council as constituted in 2008”

According to the Judgement, “the only person who have authority to convened a meeting of Etuboms Traditional Rulers Council are 7 in number and they include Etubom Essien Ekpeyong Efiok, Etubom Micah Archibong, Etubom Bassey Duke, Etubom Nyong Effiom, Etubom Cobham Boco, Etubom Okon Asuquo, Etubom Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu “