Governor Otu “lacks powers to set aside Supreme Court’s judgement” _ Etubom traditional rulers council faction kicks

The recent position by the Cross River State government on the crisis rocking the Obong of Calabar stool as announced by Senator Bassey Otu has polarized the Etubom Council further as the aggrieved faction kick against the tenability of the waiver argument.

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

But on Wednesday, December 6th, 2023, a faction of the Kingmakers in Chief Tony Ani’s camp led by his HRH Essien Ekpenyong Efiok and HRH Etubom Micah Archibong VI, Chairman and Secretary of the Etubom Traditional Rulers Council respectively, disagreed with the government’s position, insisting instead, 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, arguing “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 Efik tradition 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 stressed that “As Etuboms and custodians of the Efik culture and tradition, 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.”

By: Archibong Emmanuel
(Snr. Reporter)