Obong of Calabar succession crisis, group goes to court

Gill, Nsa-Abasi, Calabar06.04.2008

The succession crisis bedeviling the selection exercise of a new Obong of Calabar has taken another dimension as a group working for the interest of Etubom, Dr. Anthony Ani, former finance minister, has gone to court to seek an injunction on the exclusion of their candidate in the selection process.

The suit, filed in the High Court of Cross River State in Calabar on Tuesday April 1, 2008, has as plaintiffs, Etinyin Okon Effiong Offiong, Chief Offiong Eyo Offiong Chief Emmanuel Eniang Offion and Mr. Anthony Eniang Offiong for themselves and on behalf of Ufok Ikot Mkpor Clan Mbiabo Ikoneto, Odukpani LGA.

The defendants are Etubom Okon Asuquo, Etubom Micah Archibong for themselves and representing Etubom Traditional Rulers Council, Obong’s Palace and Etubom Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu, Etubom Otu Efa Otu and Chief Esien Ekpenyong for themselves and representing the Efik Iboku Esit Edik Traditional Council.

In a supporting affidavit to the motion deposed to by Chief Emmanuel Eniang Offiong, he noted “that by the existing understanding between the Efik Ruling families, it is the turn of Ikoneto to present a candidate for the royal stool of the Obong of Calabar”

“That pursuant to the traditional indisposition of His Eminence, Prof. Nta Elijah Henshaw VI, the Plaintiffs’ family presented Etubom (Dr.) Anthony Ani Eniang Offiong as their candidate for the royal stool of the Obong of Calabar.”