The Clan Head of Iyamoyong community in Obubra Local Government Area, His Highness Chief Ibara Irom (Oyamakwa Oyira), has dismissed claims that he was assaulted by the Obubra Council Chairman, Kingsley Ibon Arikpo.
The traditional ruler refuted the allegations in a letter dated February 27, 2025, and addressed to the Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem. Similarly, a letter from the Traditional Rulers Council of Iyamoyong, sighted by our correspondent yesterday, also denied reports that the council chairman slapped the monarch.
“The attention of Iyamoyong Council of Chiefs, youths, women, and the village council has been drawn to a malicious petition before your esteemed office. Everything in that petition is a bundle of lies fabricated by some disgruntled, sponsored politicians,” the letter stated.
“We dissociate ourselves completely from this fabrication. Mr. Speaker, please consider this our disclaimer in the strongest terms and advise detractors to respect our rights,” it added.
The letter, signed by HH Chief Ibara Irom Etaba (Oyamakwa Oyira), HH Chief Festus A. Okimba (Okri), and four others—including Mr. Antony Etaba Irom (Chairman, Town Council), Mrs. Anthonia Edim (Women Leader), Mr. Daniel Ogar Okpa (Youth Leader), and Mr. Benjamin Eyam (Secretary, Town Council)—condemned the allegations in strong terms, describing them as an attempt to tarnish the reputation of the council chairman.
“As we speak, our lawyers have been given instructions to deal with this fabrication,” the letter warned.
Earlier in the week, reports surfaced in some newspapers alleging that Chairman Kingsley Arikpo slapped the Clan Head of Iyamoyong during an altercation between the traditional ruler’s son, Wisdom Ibara, and the chairman’s entourage.
Reacting swiftly to the allegations, Arikpo denied the claims, stating that he was a gentleman with proper home training. “Slap the traditional ruler to gain what? Not me. I cannot dare slap an elderly person, talk less of a traditional ruler,” he insisted.
Meanwhile, a community youth, Mr. Ovat (surname withheld), told our correspondent that he was among those involved in the confrontation with the council chairman. He attributed the controversy to the actions of the chairman’s supporters, who allegedly pursued Wisdom Ibara into the traditional ruler’s residence and demanded his release.
He explained that, in African tradition, if a person seeks refuge in a king’s palace and is forcefully taken away, it is considered an affront to the king himself. “That is why people alleged that the chairman had slapped the Clan Head,” he said.
