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A cold war seems to be brewing between the Obong of Calabar, Ekpo
Okon Abasi Otu V and the Cross River State governor, Liyel Imoke, over the
governor’s alleged disrespect for the throne of Efik kingdom.
It was gathered that the inability of Mr Imoke to bring the
president to the palace of the traditional ruler to pay homage during his visit
to the state was seen as a mark of disrespect. The president had paid similar
visits to all first class chiefs in the country wherever he visited. But in
Calabar, he was shielded from the palace of the traditional ruler, a
development that infuriated the palace.
The governor was also accused by palace sources of ignoring the
Calabar king during the visit of the president’s wife, Patience Jonathan to
Calabar for the South-South PDP women rally. Mrs Jonathan visited the palace
without being led by the state governor as demanded by palace protocol.
During a recent meeting between the president and traditional
rulers in the country at Aso Rock, the state government went with a paramount
ruler from the northern part of the state, leaving the Calabar king at home.
Pay back time
The traditional ruler last Tuesday snubbed the governor and his
campaign trail when they came to his palace for royal blessings.
Aware that the governor was coming, the monarch quietly left
words that he had travelled out of Calabar. The king however, directed the
chairman of the kingmakers council and his wife to receive the governor. Mr Imoke
on realising his mistake apologised saying it was an oversight.
Written apology
Some of the kingmakers told NEXT that what they want is a
written apology from the governor. “Our stool is too revered to be given a cold
shoulder by a sitting governor in matters like presidential visit. If Jonathan
visited the Emir of Kano, Shehu of Borno, Alaafin of Oyo, Obi of Onitsha, Oba
of Benin, why did he not visit the Obong of Calabar that is their
contemporary?” One of the kingmakers said.
A government spokesperson said Mr Imoke holds the king and his
throne in high esteem and will do nothing to disrespect it.
