Obong of Calabar, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V, has directed that the pouring of libation in the palace should cease once prayers have been offered to God.
The monarch issued the directive during a palace event, where despite the opening Christian prayer, some chiefs reportedly moved outside to pour libation to the ancestors.
Otu, who is officially the Defender of the Christian Faith and Grand Patriarch of the Efik Kingdom, said such practices should not continue after prayers have been made to God.
“Once a prayer has been offered to God before we set about any traditional business of the day in this palace, we should allow Him to do His work.
“We should stop at that point. I would not like such to continue any further,” the Obong said.
He appealed for understanding, urging that his position should not be misconstrued or taken as an attack on Efik traditions.
“Do not be angry,” he said, adding: “I am appealing to you that we should stop the pouring of libation after prayers. Let this call not be misunderstood.”
The Obong clarified that he was not abolishing the remembrance of ancestors or traditional consultations entirely.
“I do not mean that we should not consult or remember our ancestors through libation.
“But once we have said prayers to Almighty God, we should stop there, because God is greater than all,” he explained.
He added that if libation must be poured, it should be done separately and not after prayers have already been offered in the palace.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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