A former Minister of Finance and the Obong of Calabar Elect, HRH Etubom Anthony Asuquo Ani has said that plans have been concluded to set up a factory that would create a thousand jobs in Efik Kingdom of Cross River.

The former Minister under the late Gen. Sani Abacha who also promised a modern Palace for the kingdom, said that the vehicle assembly factory was one of his plans to bring prosperity to the people.

Ani disclosed this at his Palace in Calabar when the Ikoneto Community paid him a solidarity visit on Friday.

He said he would use his wealth of experience to change the narrative of the people who have had to contend with various adversities.

According to him, "I will bring a new Palace starting from this year that will contain all that we need.

"We will not complain but will do things to let people know that we are rising.

"We must make our youths have jobs, make you happy in your houses by making jobs available.

"A big factory is underway in Odukpani that will emoloy 1,000 people and will kickoff in 24 months time.

"I will make jobs available in your community so you don't need to come out of your community," he stated.

On the Obongship tussle, he said the Ikoneto people have been cheated since 1973 when the Accord was signed.

He said the Ikoneto people were supposed to assume the throne in 1990 but they voluntarily left it for Henshaw Town.

He added that he was selected to be Obong of Calabar in 2007 but they again overpowered the Ikoneto people but this time they are determined to right the wrongs.

"They selected me to be Obong fifteen years ago in 2007 but they again overpowered us and took over.

"But like David fought Golaith, though we are not many but we have increased and have fought them.

"We have no Obong of Calabar now, I am the Obong Elect. The gods have agreed, the Ekpe, Ndem and even the witches have agreed that I am the Obong of Calabar," he said.

On his part, Etubom Ephraim Etim Nsa from Ikoneto said his people sent him to celebrate with the Obong Elect.

He said they are grateful that after so many years of marginalisation, the Ikoneto people have finally produced the Obong of Calabar.

Also speaking, HRH Etubom Essien Ekpenyong Efio, the Chairman of the Etuboms Traditional Council since 2007 said it was the turn of Western Calabar to become the Obong of Calabar.

He said Adiabo and Creek people had earlier produced Obong of Calabar and it will not be fair for them to produce Obong when the Ikoneto people are still waiting.

He added that the position Ani is occupying now is that of Ikoneto and when he completes his tenure it will rotate to another part.

He stressed that the council taking place at Effanga Ansa Street is an illegal council because by the Supreme Court judgment, all the people there have gone with Edidem Abasi Otu.

On his part, former Nigeria Ambassador to Uganda and Chairman publicity of the event, Etubom Nya Eyoma Asuquo they are in the process of installing the new Obong and different houses will pay him homage.

He said the Supreme Court judgment said the people of Ikoneto should be given an opportunity to become Obong because it is their turn.

He said by the court judgment all what the former Obong did has been nullified and only people who were Etuboms in the palace as at 2008 are the people qualified to choose the new Obong.

It would be recalled that he apex court had recently nullified the election of Abasi Otu as the
Obong of Calabar.