Why Calabar people angry with President Goodluck Jonathan

The Obong of Calabar Executive Council has expressed disappointment in President Goodluck Jonathan for failing to visit the first-class king His Eminence Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi-Otu V when he visited Calabar, Cross River state, as part of his presidential campaign tour on Friday, 30th January 2015. This was contained in an open letter to the president titled ‘That grave dishonour to the Obong of Calabar by President Goodluck Jonathan, GCFR’.

The letter states in parts that, “It was most disappointing and grossly embarassing to note that our President, His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan failed, neglected or ignored to implement his normal tradition which is also a universal practice for him to pay a visit to the Obong of Calabar as he had demonstrated in all the states he had visited….

“With due respect to Mr. President whose lofty background is from a community which holds traditional institutions in very high esteem, Efik people all over the world who have been trailing the president’s campaign train have expressed their deep concern about that apparent but grave “slip” which amounts to a dishonour to the revered institution of the Efik throne. This is more so, since the historical contents of the Efik Throne should no doubt be very well to Mr. President…

“Regrettably, the Cross River state governor, Senator Liyel Imoke did not appear to have done much to avert the situation, even if the president was in a hurry to conduct his campaign and depart from the stat. This is very curious and most unfortunate..

The letter signed by High Chief Dr. Asuquo Ekpenyong, Chairman of the Obong of Calabar Executive Council concludes that “Efik people have always held the president in high esteem and would not downgrade his profile even though they are deeply injured by this most unfortunate development. Our hope is that respect will henceforth be accorded to whom respect should be due. The Obong of Calabar eminently deserves to be respected.”

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About Unknown

Deji Sadiq, a.k.a DEJI OF LAGOS is a LASU trained Economist turned freelance journalist, a Blogger, an information strategist, a public affairs analyst and a committed activist with a passion for equal opportunities.