Pic: Cross section of Mbube Traditional Rulers
C’River community demands reinstatement of suspended paramount ruler
From Aniekan Aniekan, Calabar
Pic: Cross section of Mbube Traditional Rulers
The traditional rulers of Mbume Blocs of Clans in Etung LGA of Cross River State have again called for reinstatement of their suspended paramount ruler, His Royal Majesty, Ntue-Atue,Dr. Emmanuel Oru Ojong.
Their demand is contained in a statement signed by three royal fathers of Mbume clans.
These are HRH Ntufam Ojong Tawor Mathew, head of Abia Clan, HRH Ntufam Obase Erim, head of Bendeghe Ekiem community and HRH Ntufam Raphael Ekure Agbor.
The monarchs said that it was sacrilegious for a paramount ruler to be changed when the original owner of the throne had not been dethroned and still alive.
In the resolution reached after a joint session of Mbume blocs of clans (comprising Bendeghe Ekiem, Abia and Etomi communities), and read by , HRH, Ntufam Odu Ndep Moses, said, “ In accordance with judgment of High Court of Cross
River State, suit No.HC/96/2022,dated March 23,2023.
“We observe with disgust that it is the apparent complacency and levity on the powers that be regarding the defence and preservation of the traditional institution that we uphold and cherish.
“That we inexorably played into the hands of the young adventurous clan head of Ajassor, HRH Ntufam Ntui Etta, who is seen to have been overtaken by lust for power, fame and wealth to lunch his ill-advised reckless and divisive campaign to over throw a legally constituted traditional authority.
“Besides the first ground on which his widely publicize claim of being a paramount ruler-elect is severally flawed and untenable is that, it was not only a time bared but it had also been overtaken by legal reinstatement of legitimate paramount ruler”. The monarchs maintained.
They added that the suspended paramount ruler who was selected according to our norms and values cannot be dethroned just like that.
On the issue of new cocoa policy pronounced by the state government about three weeks ago, Mbume clan statement urged the Gov. Otu administration not to tamper with the Smartgov platform which was used by the senator Ayade’s administration to offset the huge debt owed the cocoa landlords communities.
The suspended paramount ruler was accused of diverting cocoa proceeds and subsequently suspended by the Governor Ben Ayade led-administration.
The paramount ruler subsequently sought reprieve in the state high court and was exonerated of any wrong doing but the then administration and the succeeding one have stayed action on his reinstatement.
