…House Committee on Judiciary, Public Petition, and Conflict Resolution to Investigate Calls for Delisting Bakassi LGA
Abana-Ikot Effiom – The 7th Bakassi Legislative Council has summoned ten key stakeholders to appear before its House Committee on Judiciary, Public Petition, and Conflict Resolution. The invitation follows a motion to uphold the constitutional recognition of Bakassi Local Government Area (LGA) and reject calls for its delisting by a group purporting to represent the Indigenous People of Bakassi LGA NEGROIDHAVEN has garnered.
The stakeholders, who are former elected officials and traditional leaders, are to appear before the committee on Friday, 14th February 2025, at 9:30 am at the Bakassi Legislative Chamber.
The invited individuals are:
1. Rt. Hon. Chief Iyadim Amboni Iyadim
2. Dr. Mrs. Bassey Etim Nkanda
3. Rt. Hon. Godwin Effiong Lionel
4. Mr. Edet Effiong
5. Princess Okuanwan Effiom
6. Hon. Okokon Mkpeti Umana
7. Mr. Christopher Amusagha
8. Prince Edem Nsa
9. Rt. Hon. Michael Offiong
10. Sir. Emmanuel Ekpenyong
11. HRH Edem Archibong
12. Hon. Williams Edet
13. Bishop Samuel Asuquo
The summons was signed by Hon. Ene Edet, Chairman of the House Committee on Judiciary, Public Petition, and Conflict Resolution.
Background: Motion to Uphold Bakassi’s Constitutional Recognition
The summons is part of a broader effort to address a petition by the so-called Indigenous Displaced People of Bakassi Communities (IDPBC), which recently called for the delisting of Bakassi LGA from Nigeria’s 774 LGAs. The petition, dated 6th January 2025, was addressed to President Bola Tinubu and signed by ten stakeholders, including the summoned individuals.
The IDPBC 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 group accused the Cross River State Government of misappropriating funds allocated to Bakassi LGA and demanded:
– The abrogation of Cross River State Law No. 7 of 2007, which adjusted Bakassi’s boundaries.
– The development of unceded areas like Dayspring 1 and 2 and Kwa Islands.
– The relocation of the LGA headquarters to Abana.
– Improved security and infrastructure in the region.
Legislative Response: Motion by Hon. Miriam Okon
In response to the petition, Hon. Miriam Okon, Councilor representing Ward 3, sponsored a motion during a plenary session on Monday. The motion, which was debated and passed, seeks to address the grievances of the displaced purported Bakassi people while preserving the constitutional recognition of Bakassi LGA.
Hon. Okon argued that delisting Bakassi LGA would be counterproductive, as it would politically and economically disenfranchise its indigenes. She emphasized that Bakassi’s constitutional recognition is essential for 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 deprive its people of local government autonomy and federal allocations.
3. Addressing Grievances Constructively:
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, such as Ikang.
Resolutions of the Motion
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.
The House Committee on Judiciary, Public Petition, and Conflict Resolution is expected to engage with the summoned stakeholders to address their 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.”
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.
