Re-election Of Obong Of Calabar Days After Supreme Court Dismissal

The Obong of Calabar has been re-elected days after the Supreme Court affirmed his dismissal.

Late yesterday, the Etubom Conclaves re-elected and declared the Obong, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu, as the Obong of Calabar.

At the Obong’s palace, the Chairman, His Royal Majesty, Etubom Ntiero Efiwwat, presented a statement to the press that was signed by 13 members of the Etubom Conclaves.

In its 42-page ruling on January 13, the Supreme Court of Nigeria had confirmed that Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V, the Obong of Calabar, had still not been reinstated as the Obong.

The decision, which Justice Amina Adamu Augie signed and made available to newsmen in Calabar yesterday, also confirmed that the appellant, Etubom Anthony Ani, has a chance to run in a new election, but he may be prevented from doing so because he was not properly capped and recognized by the Obong in Council.

She did, however, affirm that the ousted Obong may still participate in a new selection process in line with the rules of the traditional institution of the palace, despite having broken the rules of the first selection process.