THE Obong of Calabar, His Royal Majesty Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V, has once again been chosen and appointed.
The declaration was made by the Etuboms’ Conclave of the Efik Traditional Rulers’ Council following a protracted meeting and process that culminated at 7.30 p.m. with the signatures of 13 Etuboms.
The Supreme Court’s ruling from January 13, 2023, ordering that the exercise must be completed yesterday, January 18, 2023, guided the conduct of the re-selection and proclamation.
Former minister of finance under late Gen Sani Abacha regime, Chief Anthony Ani had approached the high court up to the Supreme Court following his denial to participate in the selection process in 2008, during which Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu emerged as Obong.
The appeal court’s decision that Ani was not qualified and unable to participate in a subsequent selection process since she had not been crowned as per the Obong of Calabar’s customary practice prior to the exercise was relied upon by the Supreme Court in its decision.
The announcement of the Etuboms’ Conclave complies with the supreme court’s judgment that Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu must go through the selection procedure.
Both the conclave’s chairman, HRH Etubom Ntiero Eden Effiwat, and its secretary, HRH Etubom Edem Ita Ededem, signed the proclamation.
