The Paramount Ruler of Eket, and Clan Head of Ekid
Afaha, His Royal Majesty, Edidem Nathaniel J. Oduonyi is dead. A family source
who preferred anonymity said yesterday.
Edidem Oduonyi, the source said, died early April
in an undisclosed hospital in Eket after he suffered a major stroke and brain
aneurysm.
"I am categorically confirming to you that His
Royal Majesty, Edidem Nathaniel Oduonyi had passed away." Said the
source.
On whether Chief Oduonyi was laid to rest according
to traditional rite or not, the source persistently decline to make a
categorical statement.
"It's not my place to tell you that. You can
only hear that from the council of chiefs. I don't want get into that."
Speculations are common that the Eket monarch was
already laid to rest according to traditional rites.
Chief Oduonyi ascended the throne as a paramount
ruler of Eket in 2011 after the demise of Edidem Timkingiko Papaudo Enodien who
was the former Eket traditional helmsman.
Meanwhile, consultation has already begun for the
selection of the new Paramount Ruler of Eket. So far, two contenders have
emerged for the highest traditional stool.
The Clan Head of Idua Ekid , Chief Etim
Charles D Abia and Chief Sunday Otu Assam-Udo, the Clan of Ekid Offiong,
are already earmarked by the core leaders of Eket Council of Chiefs, where one
of them will finally emerged through an election. But speculations are already
rife that Chief E. C. D Abia would be the likely winner giving that he is the
most senior clan head alive in Eket Local Government, Akwa Ibom State.
Sent In By:Joe Eno
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