Obongship Tussle: Governor Otu ‘Lacks Powers To Set Aside Supreme Court’s Judgement’ – Traditional Rulers Council Kicks

By Godwin Otang

The recent position of the Government of Cross River State led by Senator Bassey Otu, on the crisis rocking the Obongship of Calabar, has left the Etuboms more divided as the aggrieved faction disagrees with the government’s position on the tenability of the waiver argument.

The State Government on November 7, 2023, had in a press release signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Emmanuel Ogbeche, frowned at the subsisting crisis, and argued, “the issue of waiver for the qualification of a candidate to contest the Obong stool is untenable”, and affirmed His Eminence, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi V, as the recognized Obong of Calabar.

But on Wednesday, December 6th, 2023, a faction of the Kingmakers, led by his HRH Essien Ekpenyong Efiok and HRH Etubom Micah Archibong VI, as Chairman and Secretary of the Etubom Traditional Rulers Council respectively, amongst others, disagreed with the State Government’s position insisting that,  “His Excellency the Governor lacks what it takes to set aside the Supreme Court Judgment”. 

The kingmakers in a press briefing on the said date, hinted that the new Obong of Calabar would be crowned very soon, positing: “That it is only the Etuboms Traditional Rulers’ Council alone that has the power to grant the Wavier.

“As far as we are concerned, the only legitimate and recognized Traditional Rulers Council is the one headed by me (HRH Essien Ekpenyong Efiok), as the chairman.

“However, if His Excellency wishes to reconsider his position we suggest he should set up an independent and unbiased body to handle the matter 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 powers to set aside the Supreme Court’s Judgement.”

The custodians of traditions said they decided to speak up concerning the tussle for the stool of the Obong of Calabar, following the press release by His Excellency Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu.

They insist that “As Etuboms and custodians of the Efik culture and traditions, we have taken time to digest the said press release and find it pertinent to set the records straight and make our position known.

“Our motivation in making this statement therefore is not borne out of an obsession by any person or persons to possess the revered stool of the Obong of Calabar on the contrary, we are motivated by a need to ensure that justice prevails and Royal Institutions are protected.”