Dethroned Obong Of Calabar, Re-elected To The Throne

By Adesina Soyooye

The dethroned Obong of Calabar, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi-Otu V, has reclaimed the throne from which he was sacked on Friday, January 12, 2023.

The Supreme Court  ended the legal battle which spanned over 10 years when it dethroned the Obong, and ordered the Etuboms Traditional Council  to, immediately hold a new selection process to elect a new Obong. However, it  allowed the dethroned Obong to participate in the new selection process.

On Wednesday, January 17, 2023, the Council, after a fresh process, proclaimed,  at  the Obong’s Palace,  that the dethroned Obong has, again, emerged victorious, and so, reclaimed the prestigeous seat.

His first victory was challenged by a former Minister of Finance under the late General Sani Abacha regime, Etubong Anthony Ani, who insisted that due process was not adhered to. Even after his coronation, the battle to sack him continued.

The Supreme Court has, now, put a seal on it.