By Nsan Ndoma-Neji
A traditional ruler and clan head of Iyamoyong community, Obubra local government area of Cross River State, His Highness, Chief Ibara Irom, (Oyamakwa Oyira) has debunked claims making the rounds that he was assaulted by the Obubra local government council chairman, Kingsley Ibon Arikpo some days ago.
The monarch refuted the allegation in a letter addressed to the Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt.Hon Elvert Ayambem, dated February 27, 2025.
In the same vein a letter from Traditional Rulers Council, Iyamoyong Obubra local government area in Cross River State sighted by our Correspondent yesterday denied that the council chairman did not dish the chairman with a slap.
The traditional rulers’ council letter to the speaker reads, “The attention of Iyamoyong council of chiefs, youths women and village council has been drawn to malicious petition lying before your esteem self everything in that petition is a bundle of lies fabricated by some disgruntled sponsored politicians,” the letter maintained.
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“We dissociate ourselves completely from this fabrication.
“Mr. Speaker, please consider this our disclaimer in the strongest term and advise detractors to respect our rights,” the letter stated.
The letter signed by HH chief Ibara Irom Etaba, Oyamakwa Oyira, HH chief Festus A Okimba, (Okri) and four others who include Mr. Antony Etaba Irom, chairman town council, Mrs Anthonia Edim Women Leader, Mr. Daniel Ogar Okpa youth leader and Mr. Benjamin Eyam Secretary to the town council condemned the allegation in strong terms published in some news platforms perhaps to tarnish the reputation of the council chairman
“As we speak, our lawyers have been given instructions, to deal with this fabrication,” the letter threatened.
Recall that during the week, some pages of newspapers were washed with report of the council chairman Kingsley Arikpo slapping the clan head of Iyamoyong community, Ibara Irom, when the council chairman attempted to halt an infraction between the traditional rulers son, Wisdom Ibara and chairman’s entourage.
In a swift reaction to the allegations, the council chairman Kingsley Arikpo denied the allegations claiming he was a gentleman who had proper home training and cannot dare slap and elderly person talkless of having the guys to assault a traditional ruler.
“No it’s not me. Slap the traditional ruler to gain what?”, chairman asked.
One of the community youths Mr. Ovat (surname withheld) told our correspondent that he was among the community youths who had altercation with the council chairman, stressing that reason why they said the council chairman slapped the chief.
He blamed supporters of the council chairman for refusing to let Wisdom go after Wisdom escaped from their hands to seek refuge at the traditional rulers’ place, only for the chairman’s boys to demand that Wisdom be released to them.
He said that that singular act was against the tradition of the land. stressing that in Africa if any man pursues an individual and the individual runs in the kings palace and the person chasing him struggles to take the individual away from the king automatically the fellow had beaten the king, adding that it’s the reason they alleged that the chairman had slapped the clan head.
