Monarchs warn acting paramount ruler, Ntufam from parading self as monarch in C’River

By Ene Ene, Calabar 

A group of traditional rulers operating  under the auspices of Mbume blocks of clans traditional rulers, Etung local government area of Cross River State have Kicked against the legitimacy of acting paramount  ruler, HRM, Ntufam Ntui  Anthony- Etta , claiming that the nomenclature “acting”paramount ruler is alien to Etung people.

The traditional rulers made this known to  journalists at the  end of an emergency town hall meeting which took place at Abia community on July 11,2024.

A resolution  signed by six  traditional rulers of  Mbume blocks of clans, compromising of Abia, Bendeghe Ekiem and Etomi Communities, in the LGA asked  the Ajassor  monarch, HRM, Ntufam Anthony Ntui -Etta, to desist forthwith from parading self as acting paramount ruler.

The monarchs averred that the authentic paramount rule of the LGA  is Ntufam Dr Oru Ojong of Abia community and not  Ntufam Anthony Etta of Ajassor community  stressing that the word “acting” is strange to the  traditional institution.

“His adoption “acting paramount ruler” is both foreign and unknown to the Cross River Traditional Rulers Edit 14 of  1978.

The traditional rulers stressed that though their paramount ruler Ntufam Dr Oru Ojong, was suspended some time ago, and  reinstated via  a court process in suit No.suit No. HC/96/2022 of March 23, 2023.

“Fired by a deepening sense of indignation and disgust, have, of compelling necessity, resolved to denounce and shun Clan Head  Anthony Ntui Etta of Ajassor Community in Etung local government area with immediate effect.

“He is not our paramount ruler,rather Oru Ojong of Abia community remains our paramount ruler.

“We  automatically invalidates any fictitious chieftaincy  title he had arrogated   to himself; since his adopted title of acting paramount ruler. ” The monarchs maintained.

Reacting to the chiefs’  resolution in a telephone conversation, Acting paramount ruler of Etung, Ntufam Anthony Ntui -Etta, said, “I am not an acting paramount ruler, I am paramount ruler -elect of Etung. I don’t know what prompted them to do so, that is their own issue,he stated