Reactions have continued to trail the re-selection of the Obong of Calabar.
Following the Supreme Court’s judgment on January 13, 2023, Etubom’s conclave in the Obong of Calabar Palace conducted a fresh selection process for the stool.
During the exercise, the kingmakers reselected and proclaimed, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu the V, as the Obong.
Reacting to the development, one of the Etuboms who participated in the re-selection process, Bassey Ndem, said it was “transparent” and urged the media to report the issue with caution to avoid creating unnecessary tension.
In his reaction, Okon Edet said, “Our traditional stool needs someone on it. No traditional seat ought to be vacant for a week. If they reselected him, it shows that they have confidence in him and trust him. If I am on the Obong’s Traditional Council and I realise that he has done well, I will reselect him.”
On Wednesday, Chairman, Etubom’s conclave, Etubom Effiwat, announced the re-selection of the Obong while reading a document signed by 13 members of the conclave in the presence of the conclave members at the Obong of Calabar’s palace.
In a document signed by the secretary of the conclave, HRH, Etubom Ededem, Ntiero stated that Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu of Adiabo Ikot Mbo Otu House having been fully satisfied with the candidate’s qualifications and eligibility, the Etubom’s conclave, therefore, declared him the successor and hereby “today January 18, 2023, conveys his proclamation as successor to the throne of Obong of Calabar.
“The qualified Etuboms who fall under this group were communicated with and directed to produce and present their nominee to the Etubom’s Conclave by January 18, 2023.
“The most senior Etubom of the Atai Iboku group, HRH Etubom Otu Efa Otu, presented their selected nominee for the throne of Obong of Calabar in the person of HRH Etubom Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu of Adiabo Ikot Mbo Otu House.”
Following the decade-long litigation that had followed Obong’s selection, the Supreme Court ordered a new selection process.
