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Bassey Ekpo Bassey is a progressive
Nigerian journalist and
publisher with
an interest in his fellow Abakuá of Cuba. He was
crowned Obong of Calabar in the Cross River Delta, Nigeria, on April 6, 2008. |
| Querido Y Respetado Bassey Ekpo Bassey Como orgulloso mienbro de la Sociedad Ecoria Enllene Abacua quiero brindarles a usted Bassey Ekpo Bassey Illamba de la logia Ecueritongo y Nuevo Rey de la sociedad Efik en el Calabar y a todo su digno pueblo los mas calurosos y sinceros saludos con motivo de su coronacion. Es un honor que la sociedad Ekpe halla depositado en sus manos el futuro de su pueblo. Desde el primer encuentro entre cubanos y nigerianos en el 2001, hemos tenido el privilegio de conocer y ser testigos de su entrega desinteresada en favor del bienestar de su pueblo y sobre todo en la exacta conviccion de que el culto a Ekpe debe ser la mas sagrada e importante mision a cumplir. Nadie mejor que usted para guiar los destinos de una nacion tan rica en historia y sufrimientos. Del Calabar llegaron a Cuba como esclavos aquellos ancestros que
nos legaron nuestra querida Sociedad Abacua y de la cual somos
dignos soldados que sabremos defender nuestra entidad y principios
en cualquier parte del mundo. Queremos a traves de estas
lineas expresarle a usted nuestro mas incondicional apoyo y que
sepan que tendran en nosotros sus mas fieles servidores.
Cuando la injusticia y malicia traten de entorpecer nuestros nobles
propositos, siempre chocaran contra la nobleza y valor de nuestros
corazones. |
Beloved and Respected Majesty Bassey Ekpo Bassey As a proud member of the Ecoria Enllene Abacua society, I want to extend to you Bassey Ekpo Bassey, Illamba of the Ecueritongo lodge and new king of the Efik society in the Calabar region, and to all your dignified people, our warmest and sincerest congratulations on the occasion of your coronation. It is a honor for us all that the Ekpe society of Calabar has entrusted to you the future of your people. Since the first encounter between Cubans and Nigerians in 2001, we have had the privilege to know and witness your selfless generosity for the well-being of your people and above all, the precise conviction that the Ekpe tradition should be our most sacred and important mission. There is no one better than you to guide the destinies of a nation
as rich in history and suffering as Calabar . |
Nigeria: Festering Sores, 5/14/08, Vanguard: "The current tussle is a tragedy; if thuggery is the basis of crowning an Obong, what moral authority will he have over his people? What respect will an Obong crowned under the current circumstances command? More fundamental is the violence and death that have been visited on the Efiks in the name of succession. How can we have so much violence and anarchy and government still claims affinity to "due process" and "the rule of law"? How can we allow the rule of might?"
Obong of Calabar calls for unity, peace, 5/13/08, Vanguard: the author, George Onah, has close family ties to the Cross River State Government, which supported the second Obong capping with military force.
Nigeria: Obong of Calabar Says Imoke Sponsors Militants, 5/12/08, Leadership: "The Obong of Calabar, Obong Edidem Bassey Ekpo Bassey II, has accused Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River State of sponsoring militants as the state has now become a safe haven for armed thugs. He also blamed the increasing cases of corruption in Nigeria on the irresponsibility of the government. Obong, disclosed this at the weekend during a courtesy call to the Nigeria Labour Congress president, Comrade Abdulwaheed Ibrahim Omar."
Bassey Ekpo Bassey as Obong of Calabar, 5/11/08, Vanguard: "Indeed, Bassey Ekpo Bassey is very popular with the Efik people. He is no less popular with non-Efik resident in Calabar, a group to which I belonged (for 15 years) until barely two years ago. However, he can be charismatic, cerebral, courageous and forthright in ways that can make the powers that be uncomfortable, especially when (as is often the case in our country) such powers would rather cultivate mediocre yes-men as allies and cronies to advance their selfish interests."
Bassey's faction rejects second crowning of new Obong,
5/5/05, Guardian, Nigeria: "The faction maintained that the action on May 2, "reveals an uncanny partnership in Cross River State between private militias and the police because those militias are developed and nurtured with public funds and by the people in government.
Countless complaints to the Nigerian state, regarding this matter, have been treated with contempt. Remember that the militants you are fighting today in the Niger
Delta, were largely built the same way this is going," it stated."
New Obong of Calabar crowned amidst funfare, 5/5/08, The Tide:
[Foolish account of second caping, which goes against tradition and only
benefits those who have been embezzling the people's money and are on the
side of the missionaries' war against Efik culture.]
Calabar Gets Second Obong In Two Months, 5/4/08, Guardian, Nigeria: "On April 6, Edidem Bassey Ekpo Bassey was capped by a section of the Etuboms (kingmakers). But the state government declined to recognise him, saying his selection did not follow due process. The capping of Edidem Otu has, however, received government blessing, as massive police presence provided security at the shrine, palace and the streets of Calabar where processions were held."
Another Obong capped, 5/4/08, Vanguard: "When contacted, Bassey, who was earlier capped Obong by some chiefs in Calabar, said that “second capping is of no effect.” Except for the clash that occurred between supporters of the two factions on Friday, Calabar has remained calm after the second capping.
Obong tears Calabar apart, 5/3/08, Vanguard: the author, George Onah, has close family ties to the Cross River State Government, which supported the second Obong capping with military force.
Tussle over Obong of Calabar claims lives, 5/3/08, Vanguard: "According to Saturday Vanguard sources, the armed thugs invaded the community at about 4.00 am and at the time they left the area one person lay dead, several injured and nine persons missing. There are fears that those missing may have been kidnapped by the thugs who were also said to have carried away the corpse of the deceased whose identity could not be immediately ascertained... Yesterday’s attack on the community was the fifth attempt to forcefully cap Etubom Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu at the Efik shrine."
Obong Crisis: One Killed, Nine Missing in Bloody Clash, 5/3/08, This Day: "Acting chairman of the Cobham Town Combined Council, Etubom Ekpo Eyo said one male member of the community was killed by the assailants while nine others were missing and several others injured in the Friday attack. He said the assailants also carried away the body of the dead man in a pick-up van to conceal evidence of what they had done. Eyo said that despite the attack, the invaders could not gain access to the shrine. When THISDAY visited the community, blood stains were seen all over the place, while members of the community were in groups discussing the incident in low tones. Most of the people were also apprehensive of talking to unknown persons for fear of giving out information to security agencies, who they allege, are giving cover to the assailants."
Youths repel attempt to instal another Obong, 5/2/08, Vanguard, Nigeria: "Yesterday’s attempt was the 4th by this factional Etubom Council to instal Etubom Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu and the move was resisted by the youths at about 9.45am at Ikorentonko (Cobham Town) in Old Calabar."
Editorial: The Obong of Calabar controversy, 5/2/08, Nigerian Tribune: "Failure to resolve this stalemate in time and to the satisfaction of the Efik people, it was said, motivated a section of the excluded group to sponsor Etubom Bassey Ekpo Bassey as a consensus candidate that could help bring peace to the troubled stool. There are strong indications that the majority of the Efik people are satisfied with the emergence of the current Obong, Etubom Bassey Ekpo Bassey II, who was traditionally crowned in the Efe Asabo on the 6th of April. One of the strongest factors that had apparently worked in favour of Etubom Bassey is the traditional norm that says that once an Obong has been crowned no other person can undergo the same process while the crowned Obong is still alive and well."
Obongship tussle: CRSG reads riot act to contenders, 4/30/08, The Tide, Nigeria: Stunned by attempts by some Kingmakers in the Efik Kingdom to unleash mayhem on innocent citizens in Cross River State, the government has warned that it would not hesitate to deal with such persons. Besides, even some Efik persons are now accusing the state government of dabbling into an area specifically meant for the traditional institution. A statement signed by the Cross River State Governor [CRSG], Liyel Imoke said the confusion arising from the Obongship tussle, was now threatening to dislocate the peace and harmony that the state and Calabar in particular had been known for years.
‘Tradition, not government determines Obong’s ascension’ 4/28/08, Nigerian Tribune: extended interview with the new Obong.
Ekpo is not Obong of Calabar - Efik youths, 4/27/08, Sunday Tribune: "In an chat with Sunday Tribune after a press conference, the President of the group, Mr. Peter Duke, claimed he had facts and details to prove that what Etubom Bassey Ekpo Bassey did on that Sunday was ”laughable, wrong and can not stand”.
And A Comrade Takes The Throne, 4/25/08, Leadership Nigeria: "As our comrade sits on the Obongship stool, I'm ecstatic. Groups and different communities in Calabar have continued to throng his palace, while solidarity and goodwill messages pour in, with some bearing great insight into the ascension of Edidem Bassey Ekpo Bassey II. One of such has been that of Abubakar Rimi. According to the former Kano State governor, "…time has come when traditional institution which consumes so much of the national income, must play a part in the emancipation of the poor in the country." This could, perhaps, be a useful and fitting dialectics in the understanding of how and why a social activist found his way onto a traditional stool."
Obong tussle: Miscreants unleash mayhem in Calabar,
4/24/08, The Tide, Nigeria: "...no fewer than 20 persons are said to be lying critically ill in various clinics in Calabar metropolis, as miscreants on Monday night unleashed mayhem..
Reacting to the incident, the already capped Obong of
Calabar, Edidem Bassey Ekpo Bassey II, said, “I have been informed that under the protection of the Police and the Military, some thugs who were also obviously under official Government protection went into Cobham Town and brutalized the people, broke down doors, machete several members of the community and generally traumatized them. We are going to ask for investigation and insist that all the persons involved, in the mayhem be brought to book.
It is certainly an act of sacrilege on the shrine. I am informed that the juju pot they brought to the place fell and broke into pieces, spilling the content. That in itself is quite significant. We are going to ask the Federal Government to assure us as a community that we are entitled to protection under the Nigerian law”.
Rimi, Azikiwe, Others
Congratulate Obong, 4/23/08, Leadership Nigeria: Governors of
Nigerian States congratulate the new Obong, Bassey Ekpo Bassey - "Second Republic governor of Kano State, Alhaji Muhammadu Abubakar
Rimi, has described Edidem Bassey Ekpo Bassey II, Obong of Calabar, as the beacon of hope for the hopelessly marginalised masses of our people, stressing that, "With this development in
Calabar, it is clear to me, as well as all leaders of progressive Nigeria, that the time has come when the traditional institution, which consumes so much of our national income, must play a part in the emancipation of the poor in our country".
Choice Of Monarch Splits Efik
Kingdom, 4/19/08, Guardian, Nigeria. "Meanwhile, the new Obong of
Calabar, Edidem, Bassey
Ekpo Bassey II has continued to receive congratulatory messages from
more Nigerians... The Owelle of Onitsha, Chief Chukwuemeka Bamidele
Azikiwe quoted Plato in his salutation of Bassey II, saying, "It is
Plato who said that society will not know peace or progress until either
philosophers become kings or kings become philosophers. I greet you,
philosopher and king!".
Efik elders reject Abasi Otu as Obong-elect, 4/16/08, Vanguard, Nigeria: "A section of Efik elders, youths and market women have kicked against the choice of Etubom Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu as the Obong-elect of Calabar by a faction of the Calabar Etubom."
Efik kingship and race for ascendancy, 4/16/08 The Tide, Nigeria: "Dressed in traditional kinship regalia, the new Obong emerged from Efe Asabo to a spontaneous embrace of and unprecedented jubilation by the residents of Cobham Town. Etubom, Ekpo Eyo who crowned the new Obong told journalists shortly after the ceremony that the crowning of Bassey as king of the Efiks is justified by tradition of the Efik people, stressing that Ekpo Bassey was ordained to be king. Eyo said Bassey capped the late Obong, while his father, Etubom Bassey’s father crowned the late Edidem Ene Mkpang Cobham and his grand father crowned the late Edidem Otu Effa... To this end, Eyo said, Bassey is a very prominent and likeable character. From all spectrum of the Efik Kingdom to the commonest man in the streets; to the highest in the kingdom, he is the most popular. His popularity is not only felt in Efik Kingdom. He is so popular among other ethnic groups up to Akwa Ibom State and beyond, Eyo said of the new Monarch."
New Obong of Calabar, deputy governor differ on death plot, 4/15/08 Guardian, Nigeria: "This morning, an unidentified police officer informed me that you were not just interested in arresting me to generate news, but that I would definitely be killed to pave the way for a second crowning at the shrine and that you are going to provide cover for the minority faction to break into the shrine."
Obong of Calabar backs anti-graft
war, 4/11/08 The Guardian, Nigeria: "The new Obong of
Calabar, Edidem Bassey
Ekpo Bassey, has joined the fight against corruption, saying it is the
only way Nigeria could become a developed nation."
Confusion in Calabar, as another Obong is proclaimed,
4/10/08 The Tide, Nigeria
Calabar monarch tussle takes new turn, 4/8/2008 Vanguard, Nigeria: "The lingering kingship tussle in Calabar that culminated in the crowning of Edidem Bassey Ekpo Bassey II as Obong of Calabar, Sunday has taken a fresh turn as another faction which describes itself as “The Etubom’s Conclave of the Palace of the Obong of Calabar” has declared another man as the Obong of Calabar. A release issued by the Conclave and jointly signed by the Chairman of the Etubom’s conclave, Etubom Okon Etim Asuquo III and Secretary, Etubom Micah Archibong VI in Calabar noted the proclaimation of “the Head of Adiabo Ikot Mbo Otu House, Western Calabar, Etubom Ekpo Okon Abasi-Out as Obong of Calabar.”
Bassey
Ekpo Bassey emerges new Obong of Calabar, 4/7/2008 Vanguard,
Nigeria: "Prominent publisher and politician, Bassey Ekpo Bassey,
has emerged the new Obong of Calabar with the title Edidem Bassey Ekpo
Bassey II. He emerged the Obong yesterday morning at about 11.00am after
he was crowned at the Efiks' Efe Asabo as the Grand Patriarch of the Efik
and the new Obong of Calabar. He succeeds the late Obong, Professor Nta
Elija Henshaw VI who passed on early this year. Soon after the ceremony,
the new Obong Edidem Bassey who was dressed in traditional royal regalia
emerged from the Efe Asabo to a roaring applause and jubilation by the
residents of Cobham Town, the seat of the Efe Asabo."
Ekpo Bassey becomes Obong of Calabar, 4/7/08 The Guardian: from Anietie Akpan, Calabar
| Vanguard (Lagos) 14 May 2008 Owei Lakemfa Lagos PARTS of our country are sliding into anarchy and all we seem to do is watch. But no serious country will wait for blood shed when proactive steps can be taken to save lives and property. Two instances of the festering sores- the anarchy in the Ekiti State House of Assembly and the tussle over the Obong of Calabar where two kings have been crowned for the same stool while a third claimant fights on in the courts. The 500-year history of the Efiks witnessed the unusual when on Saturday May 3, 2008 a new Obong of Calabar, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi was crowned while a subsisting Obong is alive. Edidem Bassey Ekpo Bassey II had been crowned in the sacred Efik shrine, Efe Asabo on April 6, 2008. Following the crowning of the latter, desperate and quiet bloody attempts were made by those opposed to his kingship to seize the shrine. After bloody campaigns and efforts, the shrine fell like a conquered enemy territory, and the conquerors marched in to crown a second Obong. The Cross Rivers State has had experiences over disputes on the emergence or crowning of a new Obong. The opposition to the crowning of the deceased Obong, Edidem Nta Elijah Henshaw VI was so stiff that the then governor, Donald Duke arrested him and the then chief priest of the shrine (now) Edidem Ekpo Bassey Ekpo and threw them into prison. Wise counsel later prevailed and the men were set free. The current tussle is a tragedy; if thuggery is the basis of crowning an Obong, what moral authority will he have over his people? What respect will an Obong crowned under the current circumstances command? More fundamental is the violence and death that have been visited on the Efiks in the name of succession. How can we have so much violence and anarchy and government still claims affinity to "due process" and "the rule of law"? How can we allow the rule of might? The point need be made that I am not passing judgment over which of the "crowned" Obongs was properly selected. What is at stake is not who the true Obong is or should be amongst the two crowned men, and Etubom Anthony Ani the third claimant. The point is that the state government failed to arrest the situation. Once the dispute started festering, the government should have waded in, first by preventing the continuous violent assaults on the shrine and people, secondly by either convening a peace meeting or instituting a probe carried out by non-partisan persons. To turn a blind eye to the murderous attacks and issue a bland appeal for peace is like encouraging the anarchy that is now afoot. If the state government supports a faction of the Efik king makers, how far is it ready to go? For how long can it contain the crisis, and can a magisterial pronouncement recognizing one claimant and rejecting others, bring peace? The truth is that there is a dose of politics involved. Edidem Bassey Ekpo Bassey is known for radical politics and being non-conformist. In contrast, the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has conservative credentials. To make matters worse, Edidem Bassey Ekpo Bassey ran for senatorial elections in the April 2007 elections on the platform of the opposition Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA). But the issue at stake should transcend partisan political interests or dislike for individuals. The government should allow an investigation of the circumstances leading to the crisis and do justice to the Efik people, their tradition and the people of Nigeria. The situation in Ekiti has already exploded with the shootings that have occurred in the State Assembly. The Speaker, Hon Femi Bamisile had been accused of shooting randomly into a crowd of the opposition Action Congress (AC), injuring some of them. He last week claimed that his Deputy, Hon Saliu Adeoti had shot at him in the Assembly. The Speaker "sentenced" his Deputy to be "... locked up for the next six months for assaulting my PA". Ekiti State had the misfortune of having three "governors" at a time, all from the ruling PDP and all claiming legitimacy. Ekiti House with members evenly divided between PDP and AC would have provided the country a good democratic challenge. This same thing had happened in the United States; it brought out the beauty of their democracy. But in Ekiti, rather than engage the minds, might was used, and attempts made to brow-beat opponents into submission. Unconventional measures such as trying to hold sittings at 6a.m. while opponents are asleep, holding sessions in secret or handing over the mace to the Police will not do. Dialogue, negotiations, respect for opponents and the Constitution and consensus building must prevail. The National Assembly and the Presidency need to prod the Ekiti combatants to peaceful resolution. We delude ourselves if we think that what is happening in one part of the country will not affect the rest of us. |
| Written by George Onah [Onah has close family ties to the Cross River State Government, which supported the second Obong capping with military force.] Tuesday, 13 May 2008 The newly crowned Obong of Calabar Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V, adjudged to have observed due process before being capped, has called for unity of all factions and frailed nerves, in the tussle for the obong “so as to let peace reign in Calabar and the Cross River State generally”. Edidem Otu who spoke to Vanguard in an interview at Adiabo, Calabar, yesterday, said the situation on ground “does not call for acrimony, discord or violence but peaceful environment to enable the government move the state further in development. |
,
Leadership
| Leadership (Abuja) 12 May 2008 Posted to the web 12 May 2008 Philip Nyam The Obong of Calabar, Obong Edidem Bassey Ekpo Bassey II, has accused Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River State of sponsoring militants as the state has now become a safe haven for armed thugs. He also blamed the increasing cases of corruption in Nigeria on the irresponsibility of the government. Obong, disclosed this at the weekend during a courtesy call to the Nigeria Labour Congress president, Comrade Abdulwaheed Ibrahim Omar. erased completely on the account of communal riot." The royal father, who described corruption as anti-development, said government must fight corruption with all sense of responsibility and seriousness, adding, because of my crusade against corruption, Governor Imoke wants to dethrone me as Obong of Calabar." "Let me commend you, NLC president, for your effort to ensure a corrupt-free nation because since you emerged as the president, you have mobilized two protests against corruption and this second one on Thursday has strengthened our visit because people who are taking action against us in Calabar today are engaging in corrupt activities. They are corrupting due process and laid down procedures that have survived for more than five centuries, so we thought that we should use this opportunity to also let you know that there is a move like that but the people of Calabar are standing firm against it." According to him. "We think that you are right in rallying progressive forces all over the country to resist the rape of our country by few persons who are now holding it hostage. But I will like to contribute a thought on this entire matter that the process which corruption represents is enhanced by certain policies of government, in particular the idea of small indicative government which is now becoming not just an ideology, but, in fact, a religion." The royal father noted, "Government has no business any more, as for education, health care delivery and the level of employment in the society is no more for government. As a matter of fact, we now have a situation where we can describe governance in Nigeria as no responsible governance, and this is the root of corruption. "Our national income has never been nearly robust as it is today. I remember that there were times Abacha could not sell a barrel of oil for $10, now it is sold for $200. Nigeria is soaked with petro- dollars and poverty has never been this much, all because of corruption". The one-time Cross River State chairman of NUJ said, "According to UNDP report, Obasanjo took over as president of Nigeria in 1999 with about 48.5% of Nigerians living below poverty line, but by 2001, the percentage has risen to 70%. Also in 2006 president of World Bank announced in an International conference that the percentage of Nigeria's living below the poverty line had climbed up to 75% in direct proportion to phenomenal increases in our national income. Nigeria has been falling into the depth of poverty. And I think that above the question of corruption, the aiding factor is the philosophy of non- responsible government, liberalisation of privatization, public sector disengagement and others." The traditional ruler also said NLC must fight against corruption in the root, adding that Nigeria must return to an economic programme of nationalism that will allow government to assume the commanding height of the economy. He lamented that Cross River has become a save haven for armed thugs in the region, adding that government in its attempt to dethrone him has failed as such move was against the tradition of the people. "After my emergence as the Obong and taken to the shrine for the necessary tradition, government has attempted six times to take a different person to the same shrine. On this particular occasion the entire neighbourhood was invaded by the mobile police in Cross River State command, but it was null and void because there is no place in our tradition that says government must determine who is the Obong of Calabar and we see that the present government thinks otherwise. "Since 1999, government has been producing and using militants against its opponents, including a chief magistrate who was slaughtered in the house. And also these militants in their spare time go to the Niger Delta, blow up oil pipelines, take hostages and when there is action to be taken to Cross River, they return to it. As I speak to you, there are communities in Cross River that have been |
,
Vanguard
| Bassey Ekpo Bassey as Obong of Calabar Written by Ikeogu Oke Sunday, 11 May 2008 THERE are not many such Basseys roundly loved by the Efik masses. |
| From Anietie Akpan, Calabar The faction of Efik kingdom led by Edidem Bassey Ekpo Bassey has denounced last weekend's second crowning of Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu as the Obong of Calabar, saying "what they have done is null and void." In a statement signed by Bassey, Chairman of the factional Etubom Traditional Council, Etubom Ayi Edem and two others, the council said: "There is only one Obong of Calabar, known to Efik Tradition and that Obong is His Majesty Edidem Bassey Ekpo Bassey II." They said: "This morning (Saturday), 5 a.m. the full compliment of the minority faction of Etubom, their families, thugs, friends and supporters, forced open the doors of the Efe Ekpe Eyo Ema, which houses the Efik kingship shrine and purportedly capped one Etubom Ekpo Okon Abasi-Otu as Obong of Calabar." According to them, this was the 6th attempt on the shrine, which has claimed life and property to the host community and "in funds to the tax payers of Cross River State and in the fifth attempt on May 2 the other factional group backed by the state government "invaded, killed and abducted at least 11 youths of the community who were guarding the Ekpe lodge. All we saw ex post facto were pools of blood and the young persons have remained unaccounted for till now." Bassey expressed surprise that "complaints to the police, written and ad libitum, complete with relevant medical reports have resulted neither in investigations nor arrest of known assailants." He continued: "We denounce this warfare, the capping of a second person as Obong of Calabar has no place or relevance in our tradition, our people have been traumatised and their blood shed for an exercise, which has no benefit for the reprobates who did it." The faction maintained that the action on May 2, "reveals an uncanny partnership in Cross River State between private militias and the police because those militias are developed and nurtured with public funds and by the people in government. "Countless complaints to the Nigerian state, regarding this matter, have been treated with contempt. Remember that the militants you are fighting today in the Niger Delta, were largely built the same way this is going," it stated Expressing fears that Calabar may soon turn into another crisis prone area with killings and kidnappings, Bassey urged President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua to intervene in the state and to assure us, Nigerian citizens of our right to protection by the state". Bassey was on April 6, capped by a section of the Etuboms loyal to him but the state government declined to recognise him, saying he did not follow due process. -- http://www.guardiannewsngr.com/news/article20//indexn3_html?pdate=050508&ptitle= Bassey's%20faction%20rejects%20second%20crowning%20of%20new%20Obong&cpdate=050508 |
| • Monday, May 5, 2008 Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V has formally been crowned in the Efik Shrine (Efe Asabo), as the substantive Obong of Calabar to succeed late Professor Nta Elijah Henshaw VI who reigned from 2001 through 2008, even as a young man was feared dead while several others are said to be wounded in the struggle for the throne. Consequently, the age long myth in Calabar that no second person can be capped as the Obong of Calabar in the Kingship Shrine (Efe Asabo) during the life time of the first beneficiary was broken Saturday. It would be recalled that Etubom (now Edidem) Bassey Ekpo Bassey II, a veteran journalist, was capped on the 6th of April, 2008, thereby becoming the first successor to the Obong of Calabar With the native capping at the Efe Asabo done on Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V as the Obong of Calabar he has eventually became a successor to the throne because the first one that was done controversially on Etubom Bassey Ekpo Bassey on April 6th was wrongly done, informed traditionally sources said. A colourful traditional procession followed, after the native capping at the Efe Asabo and the new Obong of Calabar who is the 51st on the throne was heralded and taken through some streets in Calabar town en-route to the official palace of the Obong of Calabar at 7 Effanga Ansa street where he was made to sit on the native stone. Only the Obong sits on that stone (Itiat Ekpe) in the palace which is concluding formality for the traditional rites after the native capping in Efe Asabo. A gong sounded where informed persons that witnessed the enthronement, declared, “it is finished, it is done”. High Chief Dr. Emmanuel Nsan who was among many prominent Efik sons and daughters that followed the procession and witnessed the enthronement of the new Obongs of Calabar told some newsmen that there have never been two Obong of Calabar at any point in time and that the confusion was created in the media by Etubom Bassey Ekpo Bassey who declared himself so and being a member of the media, he (Etubom Bassey) misdirected the media. His words, we have only one Obong of Calabar whom you have just witnessed his enthronement and the native capping performed on him. What Bassey Ekpo did was not the proper thing and he went ahead to misinform the media. I think he should apologize to the media in this country for misdirecting them. For us, he is our son, we have forgiven him. We have not put curses on him, if he comes, we will receive him back. The palace doors are open”. In a press statement issued to the press at the end of the occasion, signed by Chairman of Etubom Traditional Council Etubom Esien Ekpenyong, he said, the rites that as been successfully performed, reaffirmed that Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V of Adiabo Ikot Mbo Otu, Western Calabar is now the Obong of Calabar, Treaty King, Natural Ruler and Grand Patriarch of Efik Eburutu. According to him, by his selection and proclamation which followed the observance of the due process, His Eminence, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V had become the 51st Obong of Calabar. It is worthwhile to mention that the Etuboms Council was resolute in its efforts in ensuring that peace and unity prevail in the Efik Nation. Furthermore, the council was certain that the new Obong of Calabar would continue with the good works of his predecessor especially in areas such as the promotion of the usage of the Efik language and the incorporation of all the Efik principalities (Esen Efik Doupeba), he maintained. [Including the fake villages set up to embezzle state funds?] Continuing, he said it was pertinent to mention that the funeral obsequies of the late Monarch would be concluded with a thanksgiving service that would take place at the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria Duke Town Parish, Calabar on a date to be announced by the Etuboms Council. Also, the date for the church coronation of His Eminence Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V, the Obong of Calabar would soon be made public. [More missionary activities against Efik culture.] |
| From Anietie Akpan, Calabar HISTORY is made in Calabar, following the capping of another Obong in Efe Asabo (Efik Kingship Shrine) amidst tight security. This has shattered the over 500-year-old tradition of the Efik Kingdom. The Efik tradition holds that no other capping can be done at the shrine in the lifetime of an Obong. But at the early hours of yesterday, Etubom Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu was capped - thus bringing to two the number of persons that had been capped at the respected shrine within one month. On April 6, Edidem Bassey Ekpo Bassey was capped by a section of the Etuboms (kingmakers). But the state government declined to recognise him, saying his selection did not follow due process. The capping of Edidem Otu has, however, received government blessing, as massive police presence provided security at the shrine, palace and the streets of Calabar where processions were held. The second capping was done despite a High Court suit instituted by the people of Mbiabo Ikoneto, challenging the suspicious exclusion of Etubom Anthony Ani by the factional Etubom Traditional Council led by Etubom Essien Ekpenyong Efiok. The court had asked the parties to the case, including Edidem Otu, not to do anything on the Obongship until arguments raised by parties are heard on May 21. The famous Creek Town accord of 1970 and the government White Paper allow rotation of the crown between Western and Central Calabar. It is believed that the Obongship was to go to Ikoneto, but due to alleged manipulations by some kingmakers and the obvious interest of the state government, Ikoneto was deprived on grounds that it was not ready or had no qualified person. This development has broken the long-standing myth around the Efe Asabo, but many people said certainly, "the gods will soon visit anyone that has committed sacrilege on the shrine and the Efik throne." A release by Etubom EFiok, chairman of the factional Etubom Traditional Council, said all traditional rites had been done and "those rites affirmed that Edidem Otu V... is now the Obong of Calabar, Treaty King, Natural Ruler and Grand patriarch of the Efik Eburutu." He expressed the hope that the new Obong "will continue to foster peace, work in close collaboration with the Quas and the Efut people and will continue to liaise with all traditions in the state to ensure that the hopes and aspirations of our people are realised." The rival Obong, Edidem Bassey, has, however, condemned the action, saying, "it is of no consequence and has no effect and should be treated with disregard." Crisis of succession has trailed the throne since the demise of Edidem Nta Elijah Henshaw. Last week, one person was killed and nine others declared missing when an attempt by one of the factional groups to enter the palace failed. |
| Written by John Ighodaro Calabar Sunday, 04 May 2008 As Calabar chieftaincy tussle deepens A 500-YEAR old tradition was yesterday in Calabar, Cross River State cast aside when the factional Etuboms Council of the Palace of the Obong of Calabar capped another Obong at the Efik shrine with the title, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V. A faction of the Etuboms Council had on April 6 capped Etubom Bassey Ekpo Bassey as the Obong of Calabar with the title, Edidem Bassey Ekpo Bassey 11. The tussle for the Obong of Calabar which had been brewing since the demise of late Edidem Nta Henshaw blew into the open with the capping of Bassey as the Edidem. Ever since, there have been several attempts by the supporters of Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu to crown him but had met with resistance. Yesterday’s attempt was the fifth and they finally gained entry into the Efik shrine and capped him as Obong. It was a special day in Calabar because, for the first time in Efik history, two men are claiming to be the Obong of Calabar. After the capping of Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V, the factional Etuboms Council issued a release which read in part: “You will recall that the Etuboms Council had in an earlier press release intimated the public that the council had selected Etubom Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu as the Obong-elect. His selection by the Etuboms Conclave on March 31, 2008 and proclamation on April 8, 2008 by the Etuboms Council followed the persistent nature of the traditional sickness of the former monarch, Edidem (Prof.) Nta Elijah Henshaw VI which necessitated the commencement of certain traditional rites on April 28, 2008 in the hope that the sickness will be cured. Unfortunately, our Mornarch Edidem (Prof.) Nta Elijah Henshaw VI transited to eternal glory. “In addition, those rites reaffirmed that Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V of Adiabo Ikot Mbo Out, Western Calabar is now the Obong of Calabar, Treaty King, Natural Ruler and Grand Patriarch of Efik Eburutu. By his selection and proclamation which followed the observance of the due process, His Eminence Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V has become the fifty-first Obong of Calabar. It is worthwhile to mention that the Etuboms Council is resolute in its efforts in ensuring that peace and unity prevail in the Efik Nation. Furthermore, the Council is certain that the new Obong of Calabar will continue with the good works of his predecessor especially in areas such as the promotion of the usage of the Efik language and the incorporation of all the Efik principalities (Essien Efik Duopeba).” The release was signed by Etubom Esien Ekpenyong Efik. When contacted, Bassey, who was earlier capped Obong by some chiefs in Calabar, said that “second capping is of no effect.” Except for the clash that occurred between supporters of the two factions on Friday, Calabar has remained calm after the second capping. Earlier in the week the Cross River State government broke its silence over the Obong tussle, warning those involved to respect law and order. In a statement signed by the governor, Liyel Imoke, government warned: “Contending parties are warned to maintain law and order in the pursuit of their interest and conduct themselves with decorum and dignity. Government will not hesitate to deal decisively with any person found to have breached the peace or conspiring to do same.” -- http://www.vanguardngr.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7729&Itemid=42 |
| Written by George Onah [Onah has close family ties to the Cross River State Government, which supported the second Obong caping with military force.] Saturday, 03 May 2008 All is not well with Calabar the capital of Cross River State . Trouble looms because of the crowning of an Obong of Calabar. Calabar is known for its cleanliness and fledging symbol of tourism. But tourism does not thrive in a haven of violence. Calabar is gradually slipping into what may become a prolonged battle field because of the interests groups in the ongoing struggle to cap another paramount ruler of the Efiks who is addressed as the Obong of Calabar. The trouble stems from the fact that due process has allegedly been ignored as well as a flagrant disobedience to the laid down rotation policy in the capping of a new Obong. To every game, there is a rule but the rule in this particular game has been grossly thrown to the winds. There are antecedents and succession plan as well as an age-long process in selecting an Obong. The bone of contention is that while Bassey Ekpo Bassey has been crowned as the Obong of Calabar, the Etuboms-in-Council insists that Bassey was not their choice but that there is an Obong-elect called Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V. from Adiabo in Western Calabar. For the record, there are three major tribes in Calabar: Efik, Efut and Qua. The leader of the Quas is called Edidem of the Quas and that of the Efuts is addressed as the Murimunene, Ebukaebuka and leader of the Efik goes by the title of Obong of Calabar. Although all the leaders are paramount rulers of their tribes, the Obong of Calabar is rarely ever addressed as paramount ruler of Efiks. Sometime in 2004, the then governor of Cross River State, Mr. Donald Duke, attempted to change the nomenclature of the Obong of Calabar to simply paramount ruler of Efiks. The press statement to that effect was signed by special assistant to Duke on chieftaincy matters, Mr. Odo Emmanuel Odo. But, Duke changed his mind when he got security reports of the “gathering storm” of violence. He sent his second-in-command, Elder Walter Eneji, to go personally to the residence of the then Obong Edidem Nta Elijah Henshaw, now deceased, to apologise for the “mistake”. It simply explains that the throne or office of the Obong is revered in Calabar and among proper Efiks world-wide. In the beginning, Duke was not comfortable with the installation of Henshaw as Obong of Calabar because of the way he emerged. The man was crowned in a controversial manner because it was alleged that it did not follow due process. So angry was Duke over the installation that he rejected Henshaw as Obong and charged him to court for impersonation and in fact threw him into Calabar jail. However, when tempers simmered, the man was offered an official staff of office by Duke and Henshaw reigned as Obong till he passed on. In fact, the practice of rotation of the throne is traceable to the government of South Eastern State (now Cross River) headed by Brig-Gen. U. J. Esuene, when it issued a White Paper on the crowning of the Obong of Calabar. Specifically, the crown was to rotate between central and western Calabar. The policy was followed till the demise of former Obong Ene Mkpang Cobham who was from central Calabar (Obutong community). Naturally, it was expected that the next Obong would emerge from western Calabar. But it was not to be. Rather, Henshaw, who was from central Calabar (Henshaw Town, Calabar South) was crowned as Obong, negating the laid down policy of rotation. It is of note that Henshaw was hurriedly crowned by Etubom Bassey Ekpo Bassey when in fact it was the turn of western Calabar. It was one reason for Duke’s grief; another was because Henshaw made a contentious statement, verbally ceding Bakassi to Akwa Ibom State before the World Court judgment. Again when Henshaw changed planet, another man from James Town, now in Akwa Ibom State, had chosen to make an issue out of the Obongship. When journalists asked Bassey Ekpo Bassey in the heat of the controversy surrounding the crowning of Henshaw in August 1999, he said, “The Obong’s crown has always been snatched, this one has been snatched.” The feat of snatching the Obong’s crown was to be re-enacted about nine years later, in March 2008, this time by Bassey Ekpo Bassey himself. Interestingly, Bassey Ekpo Bassey, it was, who attempted to dethrone Henshaw in February 2004, shortly after he, (Bassey), was de-robed for allegedly beating up a fellow Etubom in the palace of the king of the Efiks. In a press conference at the instance of Henshaw in his palace on February 25, 2004, the Obong traced the harassment to “the recent expulsion and derecognition of Chief Bassey Ekpo Bassey on account of an offence committed in the palace. Would you believe that an Etubom of the standing of Bassey Ekpo Bassey (allegedly) slapped a fellow Etubom Mkpang Boco Cobham and kicked him to the ground as well as attempted to strangulate him right in the presence of the Obong of Calabar and right in the palace of the Obong?” In the press statement read at the conference by chairman of Etuboms-in-Council, Etubom Okon Ekpenyong John Eyamba, the Efik monarch also said: “This type of behaviour clearly desecrates the palace and the royalty of an Efik monarch and it betrays completely the gentle and civilised life style of the Efik race. It is alien to the Efik Kingdom for a respected kingmaker to throw respects to the winds and behave that way.” After that incident, when Bassey was asked how it happened, he said, “If I had killed him I would have claimed provocation.” At the conference and still speaking on the plan to chase him out of office, Henshaw said, “The attempt to dethrone the Obong could only exist in the imagination of such people and could not be actualized. It is impossible to dethrone an Obong because there is no history of the dethronement of an Obong in Efik Kingdom. assey Ekpo Bassey is not even from Cross River State but James Town (now Ibaka) in Mbo Local Government of Akwa Ibom State. He is merely tolerated in the palace because he is an Efik in diaspora and it is ridiculous for a man from Akwa Ibom State, whose ruling house (James Town) no longer exists either in Cross River or Akwa Ibom States. For the people who signed the ‘dethronement’ statement, they are neither Etuboms nor recognized chiefs and they all claimed to belong to Cobham Town. It is unheard of for a single ruling house out of 30 ruling houses to want to remove an Obong.” Henshaw recalled an incident in “1926 when one Etubom Edem Adam Ephraim crowned himself Obong around Elder Demster Shipping Company area of the Marine Beach in Calabar. The self-crowned Obong was even then not dethroned but merely avoided by the other Etuboms-in-Council and, when he died, he was given all the full burial rites of an Obong.” This aspect of the press statement is the crux of this write-up, which is that “a self-crowned Obong cannot be dethroned”. So, if Bassey Ekpo Bassey has crowned himself, he should be allowed to stay until God decides. It has already been stated that a crowned Obong cannot be removed, so why are people singing in the rain. It simply implies that once an existing Obong kicks the bucket, the first man to race to Efe Asabo becomes the new king. It follows then that because Bassey was the first man to do a Ben Johnson to the shrine and got the crown. However, his emergence as Obong of Calabar should not be used to create disturbance in good-old-peaceful Calabar. The Efiks should remember that Calabar also belongs to non-Calabarians, especially since it is the seat of government for the whole state that is made up of Yala, Boki, Obudu, Obanliku, Bekwarra, Ejagam, Ugep, Biase, Itigidi, Qua, Efut, and others. Also, such residents as Ibibio, Anang, Oron and of course Ibo, Yoruba, Hausa investors as well as foreigners doing business there do have the right to their peace. It is up to the Efiks to allow an Ibibio man to be their Obong but the process of installing an Obong-elect should not turn Calabar to jagajaga. Two days ago, a respected High Chief of Efik Kingdom phoned this writer, saying that Bassey Ekpo Bassey was a creation of the press in Calabar and not crowned by the Efiks. When he was now asked whether Efe Asabo (Efik Kingship Shrine), where Bassey was crowned, was also a creation of the press, the conversation entered “voice mail” immediately. Methinks that there is a solution to the problem and that is by dividing the rulership of the Efik Kingdom into two distinct sides such as ‘Obong of western Calabar ‘ and ‘Obong of central Calabar’. After all, it was Esuene who neutralized the powers of the Obong of Calabar by shoring up the offices of the Edidem of the Quas and Murimunene of the Efuts. So, if the western Calabar people are feeling cheated in the succession bid they could create their own Obong, considering the fact that Creek Town and Ikoneto (western Calabar) are the ancestral homes of the Efiks. Efe Asabo is a creation of man, so, another one could be built and the deities invoked. It is only the Holy Bible and the Holy Koran that cannot be altered but everything in creation can be changed for the sake of peace. It on record too that an Efik son (Mr. Donald Duke) changed the fortune of Calabar but let not an Efik-induced trouble reverse the fortune. In this wise, we want to say ‘what Efik Duke has put together let no Efik Obong put asunder’. -- http://www.vanguardngr.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7721&Itemid=0 |
| Written by John Ighodaro Saturday, 03 May 2008 CALABAR — The tussle for the Obong of Calabar Friday finally claimed a life with several persons injured when armed thugs in the early hours of yesterday, again, invaded Cobham Town in Calabar South Local Government Area of the state, the immediate community of the capped Obong of Calabar, Edidem Bassey Ekpo Bassey II. According to Saturday Vanguard sources, the armed thugs invaded the community at about 4.00 am and at the time they left the area one person lay dead, several injured and nine persons missing. There are fears that those missing may have been kidnapped by the thugs who were also said to have carried away the corpse of the deceased whose identity could not be immediately ascertained. This attack is coming on the heels of strident warnings issued by the State Governor; Mr. Liyel Imoke that government will not tolerate any form of violence as interest groups battle for the Efik throne. Imoke had noted in a public announcement: “Contending parties are warned to maintain law and other in the pursuit of their interest and conduct themselves with decorum and dignity. Government will not hesitate to deal decisively with any person found to have breached the peace or conspiring to do same.” Yesterday’s attack on the community was the fifth attempt to forcefully cap Etubom Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu at the Efik shrine. At Cobham Town yesterday after the attack, people were seen gathering in clusters and discussing in hushed tones. Eye witness account had it that during the attack, one of the Efik shrine guards was killed by the thugs who were armed with dangerous weapons. The thugs allegedly carried the corpse of the deceased away when the disturbances at the shrine had alerted other members of the community, who had mobilized to fight back. Meanwhile, a detachment of mobile policemen in a pick_up van had had been deployed to the area. Members of the Etuboms Traditional Council and the capped Obong’s Cabinet have reported the matter to the Zone Six Commands of the Nigeria Police. The prime minister of the Cabinet Etubom Nya Asuquo led some kingmakers Friday morning to lodge a petition with the Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Zone Six petition over the attack on the community and the subsequent loss of life. Asuquo called on relevant authorities to apprehend the mastermind of the invasion of the community, investigate them and bring them to book for resorting to violence and attacking those he described as peaceful and law abiding members of the society. When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the state police command, Thomas Adama Okpene (DSP) said the state police command has not been briefed of any such incident. -- http://www.vanguardngr.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7714&Itemid=42 |
| From Ernest Chinwo in Calabar, 05.03.2008 Fears that the crisis rocking the Efik kingdom over the throne of the Obong of Calabar would lead to a bloodbath became real early Friday morning as one person was killed and nine persons declared missing, while several others were injured, in a bloody clash at Cobham Town. There had been fears that the insistence of a faction of the Etuboms Traditional Council backed by top officers of the Cross River State government opposed to the capping of Edidem Bassey Ekpo Bassey II as the Obong of Calabar to have access to the kingship shrine, Efe Asabo, to carry out a second installation would lead to bloodshed. The factional group led by Etubom Essien Ekpenyong Efiok in the early hours of Thursday made their fourth attempt to cap Etubom Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu at the Efe Asabo but was repelled by youths of Ikot Etonko (Cobham Town) community. The people of Cobham Town, custodians of the shrine, had vowed to resist any attempt to hold a second capping of an Obong in the lifetime of one already capped, describing the insistence of the factional group to cap Etubom Otu as “an act of sacrilege and provocation which we are going to resist.” The group, THISDAY gathered, made their fifth attempt at about 4.30 am on Friday backed by some thugs who invaded the community in a bid to have access to the shrine. Acting chairman of the Cobham Town Combined Council, Etubom Ekpo Eyo said one male member of the community was killed by the assailants while nine others were missing and several others injured in the Friday attack. He said the assailants also carried away the body of the dead man in a pick-up van to conceal evidence of what they had done. Eyo said that despite the attack, the invaders could not gain access to the shrine. When THISDAY visited the community, blood stains were seen all over the place, while members of the community were in groups discussing the incident in low tones. Most of the people were also apprehensive of talking to unknown persons for fear of giving out information to security agencies, who they allege, are giving cover to the assailants. Worried by the development, the chairman of the other faction of Etubom Traditional Council, Etubom (Dr.) Nya Asuquo petitioned the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Zone 6, Calabar, alleging Police complicity in the attacks on the community. He said "the minority faction, operating from the offices of the Obong of Calabar at No. 7 Effanga Ansa St. Calabar South, organized a procession of armed thugs, heavily guarded by the police, that swept through Boco St. , where the Efe Ekpe Eyo Ema, their Ekpe Lodge which houses the Kingship Shrine, is located." He said the thugs were led by a retired Assistant Commissioner of Police in the State, who had records of extra-judicial killings and mass graves whole in service. He called for the intervention of the Zone to avert further bloodbath in the community as the community "will not render itself a sitting target for armed thugs anymore." The Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Thomas Adama Okpene however said he was not aware of the Cobham Town incident. He said in a telephone interview that he attended a security meeting Friday morning and that officer covering the Cobham Town area was in attendance but did not report any such incident. -- http://www.thisdayonline.com/nview.php?id=110381 |
| Written by John Ighodaro Friday, 02 May 2008 Expectations that the Obong tussle in Calabar may have been put to rest were shattered yesterday when attempts by a factional Etubom Traditional Council led by Etubom Essien Efiok to cap Etubom Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu at the Efik shrine were repelled by youths. Yesterday’s attempt was the 4th by this factional Etubom Council to instal Etubom Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu and the move was resisted by the youths at about 9.45am at Ikorentonko (Cobham Town) in Old Calabar. This has created tension in the city and has raised fears that if urgent steps are not taken to check the development, it might lead to unprecedented violence. The move by the factional Etubom Council is particularly crises prone because it amounts to a second capping at the Efik shrine and a second capping is something that has never happened in the Efik kingdom in 500 years. It will be recalled that Etubom Bassey Ekpo Bassey Ekpo was capped the Obong of Calabar at the Efik shrine on the 6th of April, 2008 following the demise of late Obong of Calabar, Edidem Nta Elijah Henshaw VI. The Cobham town community in old Calabar are viewing the attempt by the rival group to invade their community and forcefully install Etubom Otu as Obong as provocation in view of the fact that someone else had been capped there on the 6th of April this year. Earlier attempts by the same group to instal Etubom Otu had always met with resistance but the factional Etubom Traditional Council seem resolved to continue to try as they did yesterday. In one of the earlier attempts on April 21, several persons were injured in the process. Reacting to the attach, the Cobham Town Combined Council petitioned the State Commissioner of Police protesting the attack of the Community and accusing the State joint security outfit, Operation Mesa of having connived with the invading forces. In the petition signed by the acting chairman of the Council, Etubom Ekpo Eyo and titled ‘Attack on Cobham Town Community: Mayhem’, they said, “we are aware that the armed garrison of thugs, protected by the Police is kept by the Deputy Governor of Cross River State and we hold him personally responsible for the attack on Cobham Town.” They demanded adequate compensation and restitution “because the invasion and traumatization of Cobham Town was ordered by government.” In his own reaction, the capped Obong of Calabar, Etubom Bassey Ekpo Bassey II, said, “I have been informed that under the protection of the Police and the Military, some thugs who were also obviously under official Government protection went into Cobham Town and brutalized the people, broke down doors, machete several members of the community and generally traumatized them. We are going to ask for investigation and insist that all the persons involved, starting from the members of government who sent them to those who actually carried out the mayhem be brought to book. “It is certainly an act of sacrilege on the shrine. I am informed that the juju pot they brought to the place fell and broke into pieces, spilling the content. That in itself is quite significant. We are going to ask the Federal Government to assure us as a community that we are entitled to protection under the Nigerian law. Let me tell you, this is not going to pass off as Odi did. We shall fight it to a decision. “We are going to bring our case to the Federal Government of Nigeria and ask whether it is proper to use federal agencies to so traumatize the people”. Continuing, he said, “by the Constitution of Nigeria, both the Police and the military are under the command and control of the President. I do not believe that the President of Nigeria is conniving with what is going on.” It will be recalled that the factional group led by the Chairman of the Etubom Traditional Council Etubom Essien Ekpenyong Efiok in a Press Conference in Calabar on April 8, alleged that “in the early hours of Sunday, April 6, 2008 , the said Bassey Ekpo Bassey in company of some miscreants forcefully broke into the Efe Asabo shrine and purportedly claimed to assume the status”. He announced that “the Etuboms’ conclave which is charged with the responsibility of selecting and installation of the Obong of Calabar had met on Monday, 31st March, 2008 and duly selected His Royal Highness, Etubom Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu as the Obong of Calabar following he traditional illness of the late Obong, His Eminence Edidem Henshaw VI”. He assured that, “the conclave shall announce the dates for the various traditional rites soon. In view of the foregoing circumstances, the Etubom’s Council hereby appeals to all well meaning Efik sons and daughters to remain calm and pursue their normal legitimate duties while everything is being done to ensure the smooth coronation of the new Obong in line with Efik tradition”. The Cross River State Government earlier in the week broke its silence over the Obongship tussle warning those involved to respect law and order. In a statement signed by the state Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke, government warned the factions. According to Imoke, “Contending parties are warned to maintain law and other in the pursuit of their interest and conduct themselves with decorum and dignity. Government will not hesitate to deal decisively with any person found to have breached the peace or conspiring to do same”. Continuing, he said, “apart from the claims and counter claims which have continued unabated, perhaps the ugliest and most unedifying development in the entire episode is the resort by interested parties to take the laws into their own hands. Consequently names of Obong-elect have been freely mentioned in various media to the disenchantment of the public”. Governor Imoke observed that “the ensuing confusion now threatens to dislocate the peace and harmony that the ancient city of Calabar in particular, and indeed, the entire state has known for years and that is what we cannot accept, and no responsible government will”. Insisting on the need for due process even in the crowning of an Obong, he said,“we all know that traditionally, there is also due process in the selection of a new Obong of Calabar whenever it becomes necessary to do so. “All contending persons are well advised to follow due process and abide by laid down rules that guide the succession process. Contenders are also well advised to take due cognizance of the various white papers on this matter and to comply with the provisions of such white papers as well as the traditional institutions’ practices and antecedents”. He added that “all law enforcement agencies have been directed to be vigilant and alert” and “we do not expect any further degeneration of the situation.” -- http://www.vanguardngr.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7653&Itemid=44 |
| The controversy surrounding the Obong of Calabar stool has brought into sharper focus some of the unresolved issues that have bedevilled the process involved in the selection of candidates into this ancient office over the years. This time, the issues revolve around the ascension of Etubom Bassey Ekpo Bassey to the position of the paramount rulership of the Efik, following the passing on of the last Obong, Edidem Nta Elijah Henshaw VI, on February 16. TO be sure, the current disagreement over the Obong stool follows a typical pattern that keen followers of the Obong succession politics, not the least of whom are the Efik themselves, must be used to. The difference this time round is that players involved ought to have learned from the past and should have been better positioned to handle the matter with more maturity. This is to say that the disagreement would have been needless and wholly avoidable but for the exclusivist policy of the Etuboms Traditional Council or an influential section of it. WHILE the action of this group that purportedly has control of the palace might seem correct on the surface — in that its favoured candidate is from Western Calabar in accordance with the rotating principle of the Creek Town Accord of 1970 and outcome of a 2002 government Whitepaper that gave the position to Western Calabar— the lack of transparency that led to the rejection of not just the favoured candidate of the Mbiabo-Ikoneto people and subsequent exclusion of, at least, seven ruling houses and many members of the Etuboms Traditional Council in the selection process created the stalemate that led to the current controversy. Failure to resolve this stalemate in time and to the satisfaction of the Efik people, it was said, motivated a section of the excluded group to sponsor Etubom Bassey Ekpo Bassey as a consensus candidate that could help bring peace to the troubled stool. There are strong indications that the majority of the Efik people are satisfied with the emergence of the current Obong, Etubom Bassey Ekpo Bassey II, who was traditionally crowned in the Efe Asabo on the 6th of April. ONE of the strongest factors that had apparently worked in favour of Etubom Bassey is the traditional norm that says that once an Obong has been crowned no other person can undergo the same process while the crowned Obong is still alive and well. In other words, it would be greatly sacrilegious and, to that extent, provocative to the Efik to crown another person while there is a sitting Obong. This was the case in 1999 when, despite an order by the Donald Duke government purportedly dethroning Edidem Nta Elijah Henshaw VI over violation of the rotating principle of the Obong stool, the said Obong remained in office until his demise last February. THE Duke government, certainly, realised the strong traditional principle undergirding the selection of an Obong as one that cannot be repeated twice in the same circumstance. Another factor in favour of Etubom Bassey relates to what seems like his solid grassroots appeal which might be the outcome of his populist stance as a well-known political and labour leader of several decades. What is more, the fact that his being crowned in the Efe Asabo in broad daylight, under the watchful eye of the police guarding the shrine and the local population surrounding it, points to his relative acceptance among the people who have the traditional role of keeping unauthorised persons away from the ancient shrine. The above factors have, apparently, translated into the relative peace that has marked the ascension of Etubom Bassey to the position of Obong. An attempt was made six days before Etubom Bassey was crowned to install the candidate of the palace faction of the Etuboms Traditional Council but the attempt was foiled. According to reports, the police guards and other custodians of the shrine had put up strong resistance and foiled the attempt. IT is obvious that the Efik have voted for peace. In this wise, it is important that all concerned in this sensitive matter read the writing on the wall correctly by allowing the wish of the people to prevail. ON his part, Etubom Bassey would do well by extending a fatherly hand of fellowship to every son and daughter of Efikland. His is a call to duty, which can only be accomplished with the involvement of all stakeholders in the well-being of the Efik. This is no time for grandstanding or the issuance of inflammatory statements that can only serve to aggravate frayed nerves. The task ahead is both onerous and grave. THE Government of Cross Rivers State and the new Obong must work together to ensure that the peace is maintained in the city of Calabar. That way, the status of Calabar as the number one tourist destination in Nigeria will not be compromised. |
| Wednesday, Apr 30, 2008 Stunned by attempts by some Kingmakers in the Efik Kingdom to unleash mayhem on innocent citizens in Cross River State, the government has warned that it would not hesitate to deal with such persons. Besides, even some Efik persons are now accusing the state government of dabbling into an area specifically meant for the traditional institution. A statement signed by the Cross River State Governor, Liyel Imoke said the confusion arising from the Obongship tussle, was now threatening to dislocate the peace and harmony that the state and Calabar in particular had been known for years. Imoke warned contending parties to maintain law and order in the pursuit of their interests and conduct themselves with decorum and dignity as government would not hesitate to deal decisively with any person found to have breached the peace or conspiring to do so. “The Cross River State Government believes in due process and the rule of law.We all know that traditionally, there is also due process in the selection of a new Obong of Calabar whenever it becomes necessary to do so. All contending persons are well advised to follow due process and abide by laid down rules that guide the succession process,” Imoke warned. The governor also advised contenders to the throne to take cognizance of the various white papers on the Obongship tussles and to comply with the provisions of such white papers as well as the traditional institutions practices and antecedents. It will however be recalled that some of the contenders to the throne had been accusing some highly place government functionaries of allegedly sponsoring one of the contenders to the throne. The Cobham Town people in Calabar South Local Government Area of Cross River State had blamed the state Deputy Governor, Mr. Efiok Cobham over the night attack on the community on Monday, 21st April 2008 by thugs who were allegedly given cover by members of the State Joint Military Patrol; Operation Messa. They had alleged that the deputy governor was personally responsible for the attack of Cobham Town by the thugs who inflicted injuries on many people and destroyed valuables worth thousands of naira in the place which is the community of the Obong of Calabar, Edidem Bassey Ekpo Bassey II. But the Deputy Governor denied the allegation saying he could not be involved in such act which he described as satanic. Speaking through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Effiong Okon, the deputy governor said he could not be spending funds to maintain the peace and at the same time spend money to cause trouble. Already, the people of the community, through their umbrella organization, the Cobham Town Combined Council have petitioned the state commissioner of police on the issue. Copies of the petition tagged Attack on Cobham Town Community; Mayhem, signed by the Acting Chairman Cobham Town Combined Council, His Royal Highness (HRH),Etubom Ekpo Eyo have also been sent to the Chairman Etuboms Traditional Council; the Assistant Inspector General(AIG) Zone 6; and the Inspector General of Police (IGP). |
| Edidem Bassey Ekpo Bassey II, Obong of CalabarHistory has shown that after protracted disputes, only the one who was capped at Efe Asabo (Python Shrine) became the new Obong of Calabar, the revered throne in Cross River State. His Majesty, Edidem Bassey Ekpo Bassey II, was recently capped at the Efe Asabo. In this chat with journalists, he spoke on the succession dispute and other issues. Gill Nsa-Abasi was there. As the crowned king of Efik people, where is your palace? Traditionally, Efik people do not have a fixed palace. When there is a king, he either builds himself a palace or his place of ordinary residence becomes his palace. And the principality in which he lives; in which the palace is situated is then called King’s town, “Obio Ubong” in Efik. When the king dies and another one is selected and installed, where he lives becomes the palace and his principality becomes the king’s town. That is our tradition. The idea of one standard palace or a fixed palace for the Efik people is a new thing; it is not traditional. It started in the 1970s and we are talking about a throne which is about five centuries old. We have reached an agreement that there should be a central and fixed palace, but we are yet to build it. What we have at No. 7 Effanga Ansa, is merely an office; we allow it to masquerade as palace. But a palace is a very elaborate thing as you all know; the king and other palace staff members live there just as so many other people do too. There are other departments as well. You do not call that level of property a palace; it is not a palace properly so called. Why is it that the majority of the Etuboms are not in that palace? In 2004, there was a crisis. The verge of that crisis is that there are people who within the palace moved to stop the practice whereby government paid money, every month, to people who had a list of fake villages and clans. It is because some people who were sitting in the palace complained to government that so many villages for which they were paying money did not exist. It is also because there was a clan and village verification panel set up during the administration of former Governor Donald Duke. A number of Etuboms had supported the idea; unfortunately, His Eminence, Nta Elijah Henshaw, looked unbridled at the development. That led to a minor scuffle and later to the exclusion of Etuboms who were not part of that scam. Nigeria must not reward such fraud by allowing those people to now exclusively select an Obong and continue with what they have been doing. 13 of them selected that fellow, 21 selected me. Now they have reconciled with some of the people who had also aspired and whom they roughly threw out and are now 18. How many people are in the Council of Etuboms? 32 Can another Obong be capped in the same shrine while you are alive? What will be the consequences of such an action? Second capping has never happened, but controversies have always occured. In 1970, there was a controversy regarding the kingship, but David Henshaw was the one who was crowned at the Efe Asabo (Python Shrine) and the Udoh Commission instituted by government upheld his kingship for that reason. Before 1970, there was an even bigger disagreement in 1964. Edidem Edem E. E. Adam was the one who was crowned at Efe Asabo and others disputed it. The Hart Commission of Enquiry instituted by the Government of Eastern Nigeria has a report which is considered one of the most important source documents for Efik history. The Commission upheld the kingship of Edem E. E. Adam. In 1999, there was another round of controversies when we took Professor Henshaw to the shrine and crowned him. There was the Eyamba Idem Commission of Enquiry and series of interventionary acts by the Cross River State Government. Professor Henshaw eventually remained king because the only way they could prevent him from staying as king was to kill him. I hope that those who have said that they do not recognise my being crowned at Efe Asabo are not planning to kill me. The claim is that those who performed the crowning on you broke into the Python Shrine, is this true? You agree you were not there. These people broke into the place and acted surreptitiously. Then, you say that the materials used were not complete, how did you know if you were not there? Besides, how can you break into a place that many policemen guarded? Do you think even members of the community will keep quiet? How will the funeral obsequies of your predecessor be handled? They keep throwing this matter of funeral obsequies. Who in Nigeria did not know that Professor Nta Elijah Henshaw said he was born-again and anti-tradition? He returned his Ekpe (Lion) to the Henshaw Town Council Lodge. As far as the tradition is concerned, he died at that point. The Efik king sits on Ekpe; that is the authority of the kingship. That is why when the king dies, the Ekpe escapes into the forest. And you have to bring it back before another king can effectively sit on the throne. So, at the point he returned the Ekpe, constructively, he died. There is nothing to mourn now because all those traditional funeral obsequies are Ekpe-based. I have nothing but pity for them. They aspire to kingship, they want to be part of it, they want to dominate, but they do not take time to study and understand it. They do not understand the Obong kingship. We tolerate their being in the palace because we do not wish to give anybody an excuse to clamp-down on this situation and say there was violence. But remember that we have not yet built a palace; this is the palace now. What are the consequences of a second capping? The consequences of the second capping are not open to you. In James Town, one of my great grand fathers had an Ekpe Stone there; this is what gives you an authority to establish an Ekpe Lodge. The Ibaka people invaded that village and uprooted the stone; 18 of them were involved. After only two months, they all died. So, these consequences are not things you can publicly say or argue. Sometimes, you go and take a step in this traditional matter and your family members may start dropping off one after the other. These are not quantifiable consequences. But people should learn to take these things more seriously than they currently do. Again, crowning at Efe Asabo will not make anybody Obong of Calabar; it is the first and only crowning that makes you Obong of Calabar; it is not a matter for government appointment. You can appoint commissioners, board members, but you cannot appoint the Obong of Calabar. Under the law of Cross River State, it proceeds according to tradition and this is the tradition. You were said to have been expelled from the Obong’s Palace and stripped of your privileges and powers as an Etubom. How would you react to this? I have already explained what happened in 2004. If they say that I was expelled by the Etubom’s Council, ask them about the processes, because there is a constitution and I have a copy. If the Council of Etubom is going to expel somebody, it will set-up a disciplinary committee. The committee will hear the sides of those involved, reach a decision and take it to the Council. Then, the council will make a pronouncement. Ask them for any of those processes and you will not find it. You cannot be collecting money as village and clan heads for clans and villages that do not exist. Then, professor wrote to me, telling me “do not come here again”; I won’t go there because I do not want a fight. I am a peace loving person but the Council did not remove me. If they remove me, they will be able to show you minutes, even of the per-functionary discussion. I am the one who crowned professor; I could take the crown back from him. Etubom Ekpo Eyo crowned me, if he says he wants to remove the crown, he has a better case than somebody who did not crown me. |
| Gill, Nsa-Abasi, Calabar - 27.04.2008 A socio-cultural group for youths in Efik land , Esop Ndito Ison Efik, has declared that Etubom Bassey Ekpo Bassey, who was on April 6 declared as the new Obong of Calabar in controversial circumstances , is not the Obong of Calabar. In an chat with Sunday Tribune after a press conference, the President of the group, Mr. Peter Duke,claimed he had facts and details to prove that what Etubom Bassey Ekpo Bassey did on that Sunday was ”laughable, wrong and can not stand”. “The choice and emergence of Obong of Calabar is the prerogative of Mme Etubom who conducts election to elect one among them.” “Those eligible to vote and be voted for are only Etuboms who have been inducted and capped by Obong in Council. They followed this due process on April 31st and elected one amongst them, Etubom Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu as the Obong of Calabar-elect.” “We call on Etubom Council to carry out the full traditional ceremony surrounding the transition of an Obong and assure them of the support of every true son and daughter. We are ready to defend our heritage against the current crisis being exhibited by elders and call on the media to disregard any purported claim by any other person claiming to be Obong of Calabar,” he added. |
| By John Akpan We should, perhaps lead this piece with what the new Obong of Calabar, Edidem Bassey Ekpo Bassey II, told The Guardian of March 6, 2008 - that "my life is nothing if it does not contribute to the fight, by some members of the human society, to make the world a better place". I know this of him to be true, having associated with him over the decades, in the profession, (journalism), politics and social movements. When the news of his selection and subsequent crowning as the new Obong broke, rather than exult on end, I felt restrained and sober. Exultation, yes, because as an Obong, Edidem Bassey II will definitely make the palace a people's point of rally and an open space for socio-cultural assembly. He will let in fresh breath and bring colour and substance to the throne. But restrained and sober, on the other hand, because the sheer scale of the apparent contradiction of his ascent to a traditional stool, appears unimaginable. His Majesty Edidem Bassey Ekpo Bassey II, has been a journalist, trade unionist, Marxist, politician and social activist. But he is king today! For some of us, therefore, we aren't one bit surprised about the euphoria, reactions and counter-reactions that have attended his successful installation as the Obong of Calabar. Comforting is the knowledge that he (Edidem Bassey Ekpo Bassey) won't be a laid back, hidden, pomp-relishing monarch. He will reign with his usual candour, rich intellect, openness and vibrancy. But why should this comrade go for a traditional rulership stool? A short historical run down: Bassey's grandfather was an Obong; his father, an Etubom (king maker). Born in November, 1949, to the King James Ekpo Bassey of Cobham Town, Calabar, the new Obong was himself inducted as Etubom in 1992 and holds the priestly traditional title of Iyamba, and head of the Efik kingship shrine. The public media accounts, so far, are that, though it was the turn of Western Calabar, where Chief Tony Ani, former finance and foreign affairs minister hails from to present a candidate, and Ani (himself, an Etubom) was interested in the race, but was reportedly outmanoeuvred by some of the Etuboms from there. With the outlook of possible intractable struggle, fierce controversy and long-term vacuum, a conclave of 20 Etuboms, out of 33, in keeping with the tradition, selected and crowned Bassey as the new Obong. The issue, therefore, is never about a question of whether Edidem Basey II is a fitting King, because he is. I'm all about the social significance of this development. We must begin to study, with renewed interest, the place of traditional institution in the direct development efforts of our communities. And in this case, not just any traditional stool, but one presided over by a man sufficiently steeped in the intellectual study of social dynamics, grassroots organizing and people's development. For me, having been somewhat oriented in matters of traditional institution, my experiences and recollections heavily tilted me away from it. I held on to this, until I encountered the Emir of Gumel, Alhaji Ahmed Sani, way back in the 1980s, when he came to talk to us at the NYSC camp in Gumel. The Emir caught me offguard. He was frank, forthright, with no forced royal airs. He spoke of his hope and dream of seeing a Nigeria that can develop the capacity to tap into the abundant youthful energies of the population; his love for farming and longings to interact and mingle with the "real" people. I should say that before then, I had not heard of any traditional ruler who could speak with such honest degree of ordinariness. The new Obong of Calabar sounds the same way. Now, to the social analysis of the emergence of some persons of the political Left on the scene. Sometime ago we did try to locate the early socialist political orientation of President Yar'Adua, and risky as it was, we hazarded some sort of conclusions. It drew fire. At the appropriate time, history itself will take care of that, but if this would truly become an emergent social architecture, then the usual realm of social struggle has taken up a new space. In other words, it can never be an easy walk over, for a social activist, for instance, to aspire to preside over a monarchy, because it clearly appears contradictory, and many will fight to keep the status quo. The new Obong is now in that phase. However, trite as it may sound, we may still restate that as a complex society, it can be morning yet, for our social evolution. I'm particularly interested in the emerging new social formations and the forces that appear to be driving certain social blocs in certain directions. I'm verily expectant of the social outcomes, and how these will bear on the socio-economic circumstances of our people. To be clearer, the point is that the emergence of Marxists, and socialists; political activists, ex-university teachers and former army generals, artists and social commentators, as traditional rulers, should engage our attention. Would it be that the spiralling development challenges of our society today, are reproducing new social formations? Would such aggregate for the social good of the people? Let's say that it could be, for, among the huge outpouring of goodwill and messages of solidarity for the new Obong, the Owelle of Onitsha, Chief Chukwuma Bamidele Azikwe, has, in the words of Plato, concluded that "Society will not know peace or progress, until either philosophers become kings, or kings become philosophers." I stand by that. For harbouring so much power and influence over the people, for me, perhaps, it would do some public good, for those who truly understand the social situations; the worries and anxieties and dreams of the people, to take the traditional stool. As said, it may sound and look contradictory, but our people need and deserve quicker redemption from thieving governments and their bureaucrats and technocrats. As our comrade sits on the Obongship stool, I'm ecstatic. Groups and different communities in Calabar have continued to throng his palace, while solidarity and goodwill messages pour in, with some bearing great insight into the ascension of Edidem Bassey Ekpo Bassey II. One of such has been that of Abubakar Rimi. According to the former Kano State governor, "…time has come when traditional institution which consumes so much of the national income, must play a part in the emancipation of the poor in the country." This could, perhaps, be a useful and fitting dialectics in the understanding of how and why a social activist found his way onto a traditional stool. |
| Thursday, Apr 24, 2008 Arising from the on-going struggle for the enthronement of the new Obong of Calabar, no fewer than 20 persons are said to be lying critically ill in various clinics in Calabar metropolis, as miscreants on Monday night unleashed mayhem on residents of Cobham Town community, following a foiled attempt to cap yet another person as Obong of Calabar. Sources close to the area hinted that children, men and women wept and ran in different directions as the miscreants went from house to house in the old Calabar settlement where the dreaded Efe Asabo (Efik Kingship Shrine) is located. A middle aged woman, Ekanem Bassey crying and lamenting profusely said she was attacked and beaten severely with cutlasses by the street urchins. Trouble, according to an eye witness account, started when the youths in the Cobham Town community intercepted a native doctor, Efiok Eyo Nsa, with a medicine pot approaching the shrine in an attempt to prepare the place (Efe Asabo) for the capping of a candidate in the struggle. In the ensued bloody clash, the native doctor was taken hostage but was later rescued by the security agents. Consequently, the entire Cobham town for hours was thrown into confusion with one Augustine said to have been beaten and cut severally by the thugs in the presence of his three children between the ages of 7 and 10 years. He was later carried away by the joint taskforce in an open police pick-up van. Narrating the incident to newsmen, one of the residents of the host community to the shrine and a victim, Patrick Bassey said, the invaders were led by one Etubom surname withheld) and the native doctor. Reacting to the incident, the already capped Obong of Calabar, Edidem Bassey Ekpo Bassey II, said, “I have been informed that under the protection of the Police and the Military, some thugs who were also obviously under official Government protection went into Cobham Town and brutalized the people, broke down doors, machete several members of the community and generally traumatized them. We are going to ask for investigation and insist that all the persons involved, in the mayhem be brought to book. “It is certainly an act of sacrilege on the shrine. I am informed that the juju pot they brought to the place fell and broke into pieces, spilling the content. That in itself is quite significant. We are going to ask the Federal Government to assure us as a community that we are entitled to protection under the Nigerian law”. The Chairman of the Joint Force, Col L. G. Lepdung declined comments on the matter saying only the Army Public Relations Officer can comment, but incidentally he was not in the office for comments. However, top military sources confirmed the clash but denied any military involvement on the side of any of the contending parties. The sources maintained that the Joint Task force has only intensified patrol at the Cobham town area to maintain security and they even quelled the crisis on Monday night. The Chief Press Secretary to the Cross River State Governor, Mr. Patrick Ugbe said government was not aware of the incident and that government was not even interested on who becomes the Obong. In a Save Our Soul letter sent to the State Commissioner of Police, HRH, Etubom Ekpo Eyo, complained bitterly on how some miscreants entered their Ekpe Shrine and desecrated, after unleashing mayhem on the people and called for immediate police surveillance in the area. Meanwhile, the High Court in Calabar has reserved April 28 for judgment on the injunction sought by the people of Mbiabo Ikoneto, asking the court to stop the Etubom Traditional council from presenting anyone to the state government as the Obong elect of Calabar. -- www.thetidenews.com/article.aspx?qrDate=04/24/2008&qrTitle=Obong%20tussle:%20Miscreants%20 unleash%20mayhem%20in%20Calabar&qrColumn=FRONT%20PAGE |
| Second Republic governor of Kano State, Alhaji Muhammadu Abubakar Rimi, has described Edidem Bassey Ekpo Bassey II, Obong of Calabar, as the beacon of hope for the hopelessly marginalised masses of our people, stressing that, "With this development in Calabar, it is clear to me, as well as all leaders of progressive Nigeria, that the time has come when the traditional institution, which consumes so much of our national income, must play a part in the emancipation of the poor in our country". In a congratulatory message to the Obong, Rimi said "Nigeria needs you in that position; we shall fight to prevent a reversal of such a significant gain for the masses". In his own message, the Owelle of Onitsha, Chief Chukwuemeka Bamidele Azikiwe, quoted Plato in his salutation to the Obong Bassey II, "It was Plato who said that society will not know peace or progress until either philosophers become kings or kings become philosophers. I greet you, philosopher and king". There were messages from former governor of Edo State, Chief John Oyegun and former member of the National Assembly, Senator Paul Ukpo. Oyegun said that following the monumental waste of the past eight years, the traditional rulers must join hands with the section of the current political leadership that is minded to rescue Nigeria. In his message, Ukpo said that the ascension of Bassey II was important not only for the Calabar people, but also for the entire Cross River State, and Nigeria as a whole. Last week, messages came from other many prominent Nigerians, including Prof. Pat Utomi, Senator Uche Chukwumerije, Dr. Arthur Nwankwo, and many others. www.leadershipnigeria.com/product_info.php?products_id=26621 &osCsid=07125b163582f7245a63f7d113839257 |
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From Anietie Akpan (calabar) As the Cross River State government begins to soft pedal on its involvement in the Obongship crisis, the Efik Kingdom have rejected the purported selection of Etubom Ekpo Abasi Otu by the factional Etubom Traditional Council as the Obong elect. This position was contained yesterday in a crowded press conference addressed by the former Chairman of Bakassi Local Government Council on behalf of 176 others representing the 5 Efik councils of Calabar South, Calabar Municipal, Odukpani, Akpabuyo and Bakasssi at the Ernest Etim Bassey Press Centre, Calabar. But the Etubom Abasi Otu group led by the Chairman of the fact |
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