Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu has warned anyone defying the State Government’s order on the resolved topic of the Obong of Calabar stool not to put his administration’s tolerance to the test with unguarded statements and other activities that could jeopardize the prevailing calm.
On Saturday, December 23, the Governor spoke at the 12th Utomo Obong Festival (honoring the Obong of Calabar) in Adiabo, Odukpani local government area, saying it is uncouth of certain individuals to make insinuations and provocative statements on a matter on which the State Government has taken a position in response to a Supreme Court ruling.
“Enough is enough! We have no problem with anybody or group seeking a judicial remedy to whatever perceived grievances there are. But this government will no longer tolerate insinuations, and provocative statements capable of truncating the peace.
“Power comes from God, therefore, whoever God has given power to should be supported by all. The State Government has taken a position based on the law, and some people do not want to accept that. We will no longer tolerate any situation that threatens the peace of the state.
“The Obong stool as one of the few Treaty Kings East of the Niger is highly revered and should be supported by all,” the Governor stated.
According to Governor Otu, the State Government would “partner with the Palace of Obong of Calabar in seeking classical and ancient sagacity in providing good governance for our people under a convivial atmosphere and consistent policy framework and implementation.
“The security, peace process, due diligence and decency demonstrated in the Efik kingdom architecture have informed our numerous achievements in the state in the past six months.”
He described His Eminence Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V, the 78th Efik monarch, “as a man of peace, a champion of inclusiveness and an evolutionary cultural dynamo.
“His sterling reign has seen to the stable federation of the Twelve Efik principalities. The establishment of Obong of Calabar Executive Forum as the fulcrum of his engagements with his subjects in Efik Language Development, educational support programmes and dynamic preservation of the culture and traditions of the Efiks is highly commendable. This cultural fiesta is the icing on the cake as it provides the platform for the tangible manifestation of the Efik ethos and cosmology.”
He also praised the Royal Father for his “calmness of mind and stability of disposition in the face of challenges to the throne,” emphasizing that “as a Government, we salute the genuine approach to achieving peaceful reign over the Efiks and the inhabitants of Calabar.”
Governor Otu informed the gathering of Efik’s sons and daughters, as well as well-wishers from all over, of his administration’s determination to construct a suitable palace for the Obong.
The 12 clans paying respect to the Obong were there, as were famous figures like as former Governor Donald Duke, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, Prof. Eyo Etim Nyong, Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, and Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Dr. Betta Edu.
Mrs Nella Andem-Ewa SAN presided over the event, while High Chief Gershom Henshaw presided over the Obong of Calabar Executive Forum.