…As HRM Etubom Nyong Efiom Okon Pledges Unwavering Support to Obong’s Throne
By Magnus Effiong
The Obong of Calabar, Eminence Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi-Otu V has charged the Paramount Ruler of Calabar South, HRM Etubom Nyong Efiom Okon to ensure peace and unity returns to the embattled Henshaw Town Council, the Calabar South Traditional Rulers Council and other communities witnessing one crisis or the other within the council area.
The Monarch, who spoke in his Efanga Nsa palace when HRM Nyong and his entire cabinet paid a courtesy call, noted that avoidable disputes and misunderstandings had strained relationship among Henshaw Town Council members thereby undermining their collective roles in fostering unity in that community.
PillarToday authoritatively gathered that at the heart of the crisis in Henshaw Town and Calabar South Traditional Rulers Councils are leadership questions, with factions within the Councils often disagreeing over who should assume key traditional titles and positions.
Political interference also deepened the rift, as rival groups received backing from different interest blocs, fueling mistrust among the traditional rulers.
However, during the courtesy call, the Obong of Calabar told the Paramount Ruler and indeed all leaders of the Henshaw Town Council as well as the Calabar South Traditional Rulers Council to put aside differences and embrace peace and equity, saying HRM Nyong Okon has a greater roles to play in ensuring peace prevails.
“Leadership at all levels requires tolerance, dialogue, and compromise. Traditional institutions must set the example of peace and harmony for the people. If rulers fight among themselves, at your level, the community will suffer.
“I hereby charge the Paramount Ruler to set an example. Call all the factions and aggrieved people together in Henshaw Town Council and Calabar South Traditional Rulers Council and ensure that there is give and take until there is peace.
“We must live in harmony with one another. The traditional institution remains one of the strongest pillars of unity in Efik land and beyond and must remain so.
“I know that you have the capacity to handle every issue and bring peace but where you find it challenging, do not hesitate to bring me in and I will gladly make myself available for peace to reign in all our domains. I’m passionate about this,” the Obong stated.
On the massive reception granted the Paramount Ruler who had allegedly left the palace and pitched tent with another contender to fight and challenge the Obong over his ascension to the Efik throne, the Monarch said it was the custom of Efik royalty to maintain decorum at all times and give respect to any recognized government functionary who sought audience.
“It is true that the Paramount Ruler, who was once part of us here left his place in the Palace, on his own accord to join those that were against this palace, and even installed his own Obong. And you know what that means traditionally.
“But today he has decided to come and pay homage to me in this palace rather than any other place. We too have accorded him his due respect as a government functionary and Paramount Ruler of Calabar South. I shall not allow any other matter and misunderstanding, which may have existed to be entertained in this courtesy visit.
“We are happy that this Palace has produced a Paramount Ruler.
“I urge all members of the Calabar South Traditional Rulers Councils to join hands with the Paramount Ruler to ensure peace and harmony so that development could come to Calabar South,” he stated.
Speaking earlier, HRM Etubom Nyong Okon likened his journey back to the Palace to that of a victorious warrior returning home.
“No Efik man had ever been elected as Paramount Ruler of Calabar South but I decided that the narratives must change. Yes! I went to war to change the narratives and I emerged victorious. Now I have decided to return home as a victor, to present myself to my royal father and to my people,” he stated.
HRH Nyong Okon said he was ready and willing to join hands with the Palace to uplift the Efik throne and that he would play any assigned roles that would ensure the Palace of the Obong of Calabar continued to enjoy its place as a foremost and first class traditional throne in the country.
He assured the Obong that he would devote himself to sustaining peace within Calabar South and Henshaw Town, adding, “we have started doing that already even before coming here.I promise to continue maintaining peace in my domain because unity is what strengthens us as a people.”
Analysts say the visit of the Paramount Ruler marked another landmark victory for the Efik throne against forces which attempted to remove Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi-Otu from the throne of his fathers.
It will be recalled that in an unprecedented series of legal challenges lasting 16 years, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu was unanimously proclaimed Obong by the Efik king makers, each time the various courts pronounced the need for a re-election exercise.
It is also believed that this step by the Paramount Ruler of Calabar South is a step towards reconciliation and a renewed commitment to stability in Henshaw Town Council in particular and Calabar South Traditional Rulers’ Council in general.
