Etubom Anthony Ani, a former Minister of Finance during the General Sani Abacha regime, has been proclaimed the new Obong of Calabar.
The proclamation was done on Monday by four of the seven surviving legitimate kingmakers mandated by the Supreme Court judgment of March 31, 2008, to select the Obong of Calabar’.
The kingmakers were led by Etubom Essien Ekpenyong Efiok as chairman of the Council and Conclave, with Etubom Micah Archibong as Secretary.
Others in attendance included Etubom Okon Etim Asuquo, the oldest Etubom of the Palace of the Obong of Calabar and Etubom Nyong Effiom Okon JP, the Paramount Ruler of Calabar South LGA of Cross River State.
The Chairman Etuboms Council, Etubom Essiem Ekpeyong Efiok, disclosed through a statement on Monday: “With today’s proclamation, the activities for traditional and church crowning of the new Obong of Calabar will kick off in earnest.”
He said: “It is my responsibility as the regent and chairman of the surviving Etuboms council of 2008 of the palace of the Obong of Calabar and consequence of Supreme Court judgement that made reference to the 2002 constitution.”
“No any other person apart from me can do the proclamation because I am still alive to take up that responsibility as chairman and in collaboration with other serving Etuboms as at 2008 and since the judgement there is no Obong on the throne.
“And it is not fair for us to remain for such a long time.
“So we decided not to waste time and therefore bring in the most qualified person to the throne as the Obong of Calabar in the person of His Royal Highness Etubom Anthony Asuquo Ani.
“This is the time we have gotten an Obong.What we have done today is not a parallel thing because they have not complied with the decision of the Supreme court,” he was quoted to have said on a report by the National Accord
Etubom Efiok, therefore, appealed to everyone to be calm and work with the new Monarch on the throne as “there would be a turn of events for good and the Efiks will feel the impact.”