By Abasi Ita, Calabar
The elite policy formulation group in the palace of the Obong of Calabar known as the Obong of Calabar Executive Forum, (OCEF) has commended Cross River state government for intervention in the squabbles over the stool of the Obong of Calabar which has been lingering for over a decade.
According to the forum, the intervention has become imperative to protect the dignity of the revered stool with rich historical antecedents dating over six centuries
The Forum posited that the state’s government official recognition accorded His Eminence, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V as the authentic and duly elected Obong of Calabar after about 15 years of litigation was a landmark decision needed to end the squabbles
Recall that Government in an official statement dated November 7, 2023 and endorsed by the Chief Press Secretary to governor, Comrade Emmanuel Ogbeche conveyed the position of Otu led administration stating that it has “Become imperative to protect the throne from judicial, social and political scorn as the stool of the Obong of Calabar is about six centuries old, steeped in the ethos of the Efiks and revered among the few first class Kings in Nigeria”
Otu who expressed displeasure over the tussle regarding Kingship of Efik nation stating that “government has granted explicit recognition to His Eminence Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi V as the Obong of Calabar and brings to final closure the speculation, acrimony and dissatisfaction that may have risen in the course of the tussle for this revered royal stool of the Efik Kingdom.”
The Obong of Calabar Executive Forum (OCEF) in a statement jointly signed by Chief Gershom Henshaw (chairman) and Chief Maurice Ekpenyong (secretary) said: “We express gratitude to the state government for its timely intervention, which has put to an end the unhealthy development in the Efik Kingdom and has restored peace and dignity to the Efik land.
“We also congratulate His Eminence Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V, on his official
recognition by the state government as the validly selected and elected
Obong of Calabar and patriarch of the Efik Kingdom.
“We therefore, call on all the Efiks at home and in the diaspora to rally
round His Eminence Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V, the Obong of Calabar, to
build a prosperous Efik kingdom for the benefit of all and sundry.”