After years of uncertainty over its traditional leadership, peace has returned to Etamkpini Qua Clan in Odukpani Local Council of Cross River State, with the emergence of His Highness Sylvester Bassey Okon Eyo as the sole and uncontested Ntoe-Elect of the community.

The resolution of the longstanding succession dispute followed an arbitration process by the Qua Clans Constituted Assembly (QCCA) Arbitration Committee, culminating in the formal presentation of Eyo at the Royal Court of the Ndidem’s Palace, Calabar.

The ceremony, which brought together traditional leaders and members of the community, also witnessed the supreme ratification of the arbitration award by His Royal Majesty, Ndidem (Dr) Eta Bassey Eteta III, Ndidem of Qua Nation and Paramount Ruler of Calabar Municipality.

Presenting the arbitration award and supreme ratification decree, Chairman of the QCCA Arbitration Committee, His Highness Chief Patrick Agbor Okon Edem, said the committee was constituted to resolve the longstanding customary headship dispute and restore peace to the clan.

He said the committee conducted hearings, examined native lineage registers, received sworn testimonies and applied the Arbitration and Mediation Act 2023, the Cross River State Traditional Rulers Law and Qua Native Law and Custom in reaching its decision.

Edem said the final customary arbitration award was rendered on July 21, 2026, while the ceremony was held for its formal reading and supreme ratification.

According to him, after the selection and reconciliation of all partiee involved in the dispute, the committee confirmed Eyo as the sole and uncontested Ntoe-Elect of Etamkpini Qua Clan.

He added that any parallel executive committee, unauthorised council or dissident group operating within the clan in defiance of royal stool protocol was declared illegal, null and unrecognised and dissolved with immediate effect.

In his remarks, Eteta commended the people of Etamkpini Qua for embracing a peaceful resolution to the dispute and praised the arbitration committee for its efforts.

While congratulating Eyo on his emergence, the monarch urged him to lead the people with the fear of God and dispense justice without fear or favour.

“As the custodian of the traditions and customs of the people, you must always be honest in dealing with your subjects, carry them along in the affairs of the community and ensure that peace, law and order reign in the community at all times,” Eteta advised.

Responding, Eyo thanked the people of Etamkpini for their peaceful approach to resolving the ancestral succession dispute and for the confidence reposed in him.

He pledged to lead with the fear of God, uphold justice and remain honest and fair in dealing with his subjects.

Describing his emergence as the dawn of a new beginning for Etamkpini Qua, Eyo promised to pursue development and improve the wellbeing of the people.

He, however, lamented the limited government presence in the community and appealed for the provision of basic infrastructure, including a health centre, school, potable water and recreation centre.

Also speaking, the acting Secretary of the clan, Maurice Edem Effiom Effiwat, thanked God for the restoration of peace and pledged the people’s support for the new monarch. (Guardian)

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