The Obong of Calabar has once more been chosen and proclaimed by the Etuboms Traditional Council as Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi-Otu V.
His Eminence, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V has been re-proclaimed as the Obong of Calabar in accordance with the Supreme Court decision on January 13, 2023, which mandated that the Etuboms' Conclave (kingmakers) conduct another selection procedure for the Obong of Calabar.
This was revealed by the chairman of the Etuboms' Conclave, Etubom Ntiero Edem Offiong Effiwat, while reading a paper signed by 13 conclave members last night in Calabar, the capital of Cross River State, at the palace of the Obong of Calabar, No. 7 Effanga Ansa Street, Henshaw Town, Calabar.
Ntiero stated that Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu of Adiabo Ikot Mbo Otu House had been fully satisfied with the candidates' qualifications and eligibility in a document signed by HRH Etubom Edem Ita Esin Ededem, the secretary of the conclave. As a result, the Etubom's Conclave had declared him the successor, and "today January 18, 2023 conveys his proclamation as successor to the thro
“The turn to produce the next Obong of Calabar after the demise of his Eminence Edidem Nta Elijah Henshaw, VI, that Atai Iboku Group of Houses in Western Calabar, as provided for under the constitution of Etuboms’ Conclave 2002.
“The qualified Etuboms who fall under this group were communicated and directed to produce and present their nominee to the Etubom’s Conclave by January 18, 2023.
“The most senior Etubom of Atai Iboku Group HRH Etubom Otu Efa Otu, presented their selected nominee for the throne of the Obong of Calabar in person of HRH Etubom Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu of Adiabo Ikot Mbo Otu House.
Prime 9ja Online recalls that the Supreme Court had ordered a fresh selection process following the litigation dating back to over a decade that had trailed his selection.