By Sylvia Akpan, Government House Correspondent
The Governor of Cross River State, Sen. Bassey Otu has issued the last warning to those flouting the State Government’s directive on the Obong of Calabar stool, saying it has been settled.
The Governor gave the warning at the 12th Utomo Obong Festival (homage to the Obong of Calabar) at Adiabo, Odukpani Local Government Area on Saturday, December 23.
“Enough is enough! We have no problem with anybody or group seeking a judicial remedy to whatever perceived grievances there are. But this government will no longer tolerate insinuations, and provocative statements capable of truncating the peace.
“Power comes from God, therefore, whoever God has given power to should be supported by all. The State Government has taken a position based on the law, and some people do not want to accept that. We will no longer tolerate any situation that threatens the peace of the State.”
“The Obong stool as one of the few Treaty Kings East of the Niger is highly revered and should be supported by all.”
He said the State Government would partner with “the Palace of Obong of Calabar in seeking classical and ancient sagacity in providing good governance for our people under a convivial atmosphere and consistent policy framework and implementation.”
He continued: “The security, peace process, due diligence, and decency demonstrated in the Efik kingdom architecture have informed our numerous achievements in the state in the past six months.”
He described His Eminence Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V, the 78th Efik monarch as a man of peace, a champion of inclusiveness, and an evolutionary cultural dynamo.
“His sterling reign has seen to the stable federation of the Twelve Efik principalities. The establishment of Obong of Calabar Executive Forum as the fulcrum of his engagements with his subjects in Efik Language Development, educational support programs, and dynamic preservation of the culture and traditions of the Efiks is highly commendable. This cultural fiesta is the icing on the cake as it provides the platform for the tangible manifestation of the Efik ethos and cosmology.”
Otu commended the Royal Father for his calmness and stability of disposition in the face of the challenges to the throne noting that he respects the genuine approach to achieving peaceful reign over the Efiks and the inhabitants of Calabar.
The event had in attendance the 12 clans paying homage to the Obong, former Governor Donald Duke, Sen. Florence Ita-Giwa, Prof. Eyo Etim Nyong, Sen. Asuquo Ekpenyong, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, and Dr. Betta Edu among others.
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