The non-reinstatement of the suspended Etung paramount ruler, His Royal Majesty, Ntue-Atue, Dr Emmanuel Oru Ojong by the state government as ordered by the Calabar high Court has angered other traditional rulers of Mbume Blocs of clans in Etung LGA of Cross River State.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the traditional rulers once again urged Governor Bassey Otu to reinstate the suspended paramount ruler.
The statement was signed by three royal fathers of Mbume clans – His Highness Ntufam Ojong Tawor Mathew, head of Abia Clan, His Royal Highness Ntufam Obase Erim, head of Bendeghe Ekiem community, and His Royal Highness Ntufam Raphael Ekure Agbor, on behalf of Etomi after a joint session of the traditional rulers.
They maintained that it was sacrilegious for a paramount ruler to be changed when he is still alive.
Parts of the statement read: “In accordance with judgment of high court of Cross
River State, suit No.HC/96/2022, dated March 23,2023, we appeal to Governor Bassey Otu, whom we know is a listening governor to expedite action in the reinstatement of the monarch whom a Calabar High Court reinstated during the administration of Prof Ben Ayade.
“Our paramount ruler who was selected according to our norms and values cannot be dethroned. Mbume clan cannot be treated derogatorily like that.”
Cross River monarchs insist on reinstatement of suspended colleague