07/11/2024
The Battle for the Obong of Calabar Throne: A Chronology of Events
Nelson Nelson
The case of the 'Tussle for Obong of Calabar Stool' is scheduled for hearing before the High Court in Calabar on Thursday, November 7,2024, exactly one year after the sitting governor, Senator Prince Bassey Otu issued a statement upholding the emergence of Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu. This calls for an ardent review of the matter and occurrences over the years.
The Supreme Court judgment of January 13, 2023, marked the beginning of a tumultuous period in the Efik kingdom, as Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu's reign as Obong of Calabar was nullified.
The supreme court said the following at page 40 of the judgement of case no SC633/2013, dated 13th January 2023;
"The end result of the foregoing is that this Appeal lacks merit and it is, hereby, dimissed. I affirm the decision of the Court of Appeal, particularly the order made setting aside the selection and proclamation of the first Respondent as the Obong- elect by the Etuboms Conclave of the Palace of the Obong of Calabar.
I also order that the Western Calabar Traditional Rulers Council shall conduct another process to select an Etubom from amongst themselves, including the first Respondent, who shall be the next Obong of Calabar, in line with the provisions of the Constitution of Etuboms Council, Palace of the Obong of Calabar, January 2002, and in strict compliance with rules of natural justice"
1. That the selection and proclamation of Etubom Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu as the Obong of Calabar on the 31/3/2008 be set aside.
2. That the parties should return to the Drawing Board.
3. That the selection process be started "afresh"
4. That the selection should start on a clean slate.
5. That the 2002 Constitution of the Etubom's Traditional Ruler's Council be used for the selection
6. That the following principles be applied.
(a) Natural Justice
(b) Fairness
(c) Equity
However, instead of accepting the verdict, it is on record that Otu convened an illegal meeting of the Etubom's Traditional Ruler council just five days later, on January 18, 2023. This gathering, held without the knowledge or invitation of the council's chairman and secretary, aimed to reinstall Otu as the new Obong, defying the Supreme Court's ruling.
Key Events in the Succession Crisis
- _January 13, 2023:_ Supreme Court judgment sets aside Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu's reign as Obong of Calabar.
- _January 13, 2023:_ The reign of Etubom Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu being set aside, The Efik Throne has not been vacant given the provision of the Constitution of the Etuboms Traditional Rulers Council 2002 which by default empowers the office of the Chairman of the Etuboms Traditional Rulers Council (Etubom Essien Ekpeyong Efiok) to be installed as a regent until the proclamation of the New Obong -elect (Etubom Anthony A. Ani MON. OFR. PPICAN) on the Monday 22nd, May, 2023.
- _ January 13th, 2023:_ Till date Etubom Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu has been on the Efik stool illegally
- _ January 13th, 2023:_ All the Etuboms capped by the dethroned Obong (Etubom Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu) are no more Etuboms of the palace of the Obong of Calabar but only Etuboms of their various houses.
- _January 18, 2023:_ Otu convenes illegal meeting of Etubom's Traditional Ruler council to select himself as new Obong.
- _January 18, 2023:_ Otu's meeting violates the constitution of the Etuboms' council, which requires simple majority and seven surviving members, including the chairman and secretary.
- _May 23, 2023:_ Genuine Etuboms council meets to select new king, following Supreme Court guidelines; four out of seven members proclaim Etubom Tony A. Ani as new Obong.
-_ November 7,2023:_ The Governor of Cross River State, His Excellency, Senator Prince Bassey Otu issued a statement upholding Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu as Obong of Calabar, in a bid to resolve the lingering crisis.
The Current Impasse
Despite the legitimate selection of Etubom Tony A. Ani, Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu, backed by the state Governor, continues to claim the throne, sparking public outcry. The Efik tradition holds that the selection and proclamation of an Obong, following due process, is irrevocable. The case is now back in court, with the rule of law hanging in the balance.
The Way Forward
If the court decides that the selection process should be repeated, the Etubom Council is prepared to appeal. As the battle for the Obong of Calabar throne continues, one thing is certain – only the rule of law can bring resolution to this contentious succession crisis.
