By Johnbosco Agbakwuru
CALABAR—THE embattled Paramount Ruler of Calabar South Local Government Area and leader of the Efut nation, Muri Munene Effiong Mbukpa, has called on Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River State to remove his Special Adviser, Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. John Eyikwaje, for allegedly fueling the crisis on the traditional stool of Efut.
Muri Munene Mbukpa, whose palace had been sealed up for over five months as a result of the attack on him by suspected political thugs allegedly sponsored by those opposed to his reign, said in an interview weekend, that the actions of the Special Adviser in the matter portrayed him as one that had been compromised.
SA's 'crimes'
According to him, the Special Adviser has allegedly ignored all the court judgment and several court orders on the traditional stool of the Efut.
He added that his actions had been contrary to the beliefs of Governor Imoke who, according to him, believed in democracy and rule of law.
Mbukpa, who was said to have given scholarship to 34 indigent students of Calabar South Local Government Area since he mounted the throne about four years ago, said it was only God or the Court that could remove him from the throne.
He said despite the harassment, intimidation and attempt to remove him by force by some highly-placed government officials from Odukpani Local Government Area of the state, he was loyal to the government of Imoke.
Mbukpa alleged that such government officials planned to ensure that all executive, political and traditional positions in Calabar go to Odukpani Local Government Area.
Monarch's rites
Also speaking, Chairman of Efuts Combined Assembly, Ndabu Obo, who also called on Imoke to sack the Special Adviser for alleged incompetence, said since October 20, 2009 when Muri Munene Mbukpa completed the funeral rites of the late Muri Munene, he had brought sanity to the throne.
Obo said it was ironical that the same people who attended meeting where the selection of Mbukpa was done, who also allowed him to perform all the traditional rites that qualified him to mount the throne, were now being used by highly-placed government official to cause crisis in Efut nation.
He alleged that government officials were responsible for the crisis in other traditional institutions in the state.
Obot said it was a high time Governor Imoke called his lieutenants to order, stressing that their actions were clear indication that they were out to bring the government down by causing crisis in a state that had witnessed peace for some time.
Vanguard Nigeria