…Motion Sponsored by Hon. Miriam Okon Seeks to Address Grievances While Preserving Bakassi’s Local Government Status
Bakassi – In a response to recent calls for the delisting of Bakassi Local Government Area (LGA) from Nigeria’s 774 LGAs, the 7th Bakassi Legislative Assembly has moved to uphold the constitutional recognition of Bakassi LGA. The motion, sponsored by Hon. Miriam Okon, Councilor representing Ward 3, on Monday was debated and passed during a plenary session yesterday. In an interaction with Rt. Hon. Grace Etim Bassey the Leader of the Assembly, the motion has since been referred to the House Committee on Judiciary, Public Petition, and Conflict Resolution for further investigation NEGROIDHAVEN has gleaned.
The motion comes in the wake of a petition by a group purported to be the Indigenous Displaced People of Bakassi Communities (IDPBC), dated 6th January 2025, addressed to President Bola Tinubu. The petition, signed by 10 stakeholders, namely, Iyadim Amboni Iyadim, Bassey Etim Nakanda, Godwin Effiong Lionel, Edem Effiong, Okuanawn Effiom, Okokon Mkpeti Umana, Christopher Amusagha, Edem Nsa, Michael Offiong Etim and Emmanuel Ekpenyong who are former elected officials and traditional leaders, called for the delisting of Bakassi LGA from the Nigerian Constitution. The group cited unresolved grievances stemming from the 2002 International Court of Justice (ICJ) judgment, which ceded part of the Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon, and the subsequent Green Tree Agreement (GTA).
The IDPBC accused the Cross River State Government of misappropriating funds allocated to Bakassi LGA in Akpabuyo LGA and demanded the abrogation of Cross River State Law No. 7 of 2007, which adjusted Bakassi’s boundaries. They also called for the development of unceded areas like Dayspring 1 and 2 and Kwa Islands, the relocation of the LGA headquarters to Abana, and improved security and infrastructure.
In her motion, Hon. Miriam Okon of Ward 3 acknowledged the concerns of the purportedly displaced Bakassi people but argued that delisting the LGA would be counterproductive. She emphasized that Bakassi’s constitutional recognition is essential for the political and economic empowerment of its indigenes, providing them with access to governance, representation, and federal allocations.
The motion highlighted the following key points:
1. Legal and Administrative Framework:
The 1999 Constitution of Nigeria recognizes Bakassi as one of the 774 LGAs, and Cross River State Law No. 7 of 2007 provides a legal framework for its governance and resettlement. Delisting Bakassi would undermine this framework and create administrative chaos.
2. Disenfranchisement of Bakassi Indigenes:
Stripping Bakassi of its LGA status would politically and economically disenfranchise its people, depriving them of local government autonomy and federal allocations.
3. Addressing Grievances Constructively:
Instead of delisting, the motion called for enhanced transparency in the management of funds allocated to Bakassi LGA, improved infrastructure, and increased security in recognized resettlement areas.
4. Rejection of Unverified Locations:
The motion opposed diverting resources to unverified locations like Dayspring, urging the government to focus on legitimate areas of Bakassi LGA which is Ikang.
The motion resolved that:
1. The National Assembly should reject calls for the delisting of Bakassi LGA and prioritize governance and development interventions for the area.
2. The Federal Government should increase security and developmental efforts in recognized areas of Bakassi to support sustainable resettlement.
3. Federal allocations to Bakassi LGA should be subject to enhanced transparency and accountability measures to prevent misappropriation.
4. The Cross River State Government should collaborate with the Federal Government to provide infrastructure, social services, and security in legitimate areas of Bakassi LGA.
Following extensive deliberations, the motion was referred to the House Committee on Judiciary, Public Petition, and Conflict Resolution for further investigation. The committee is expected to engage with stakeholders, including the IDPBC, to address the grievances while preserving Bakassi’s constitutional status.
Hon. Miriam Okon urged her colleagues to prioritize the welfare of Bakassi indigenes, stating, “Delisting Bakassi LGA is not the solution. We must address the root causes of their grievances while ensuring their constitutional rights are upheld.”
Feelers suggests that the motion has been widely applauded by stakeholders as a balanced approach to resolving the Bakassi crisis. It remains to be seen how the House Committee’s findings will shape the future of Bakassi LGA and its displaced communities. The motion was seconded by Hon. Ita Nyoki of ward 5.
