Bakassi Legislative Assembly Rejects Calls To Delist Bakassi LG From Constitution
Bakassi Local Government Legislative Assembly has rejected calls from some quarters that Bakassi be delisted from the constitution as one of the 774 councils in Nigeria.
The motion, sponsored by Hon. Miriam Okon, Councilor representing Ward 3, has been referred to the House Committee on Judiciary, Public Petition, and Conflict Resolution after lengthy deliberations.
In her motion, Hon. Miriam Okon decried the human indignities suffered by the displaced Bakassi people, but argued that delisting the LGA would be counterproductive.
She emphasised 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 opposed diverting resources to unverified locations like Dayspring, urging the government to focus on legitimate areas of Bakassi LGA which is Ikang.
According to her, "legally and administratively 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" therefore delisting Bakassi would undermine this framework and create administrative chaos.
"Stripping Bakassi of its LGA status would politically and economically disenfranchise its people, depriving them of local government autonomy and federal allocations.
"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.
After lengthy deliberations, the Legislative Council presided over by the Leader, Hon. Grace Etim Bassey the Leader, resolved that "the National Assembly should reject calls for the delisting of Bakassi LGA and prioritize governance and development interventions for the area.
"That the federal government should increase security and developmental efforts in recognized areas of Bakassi to support sustainable resettlement.
"That federal allocations to Bakassi LGA should be subject to enhanced transparency and accountability measures to prevent misappropriation.
"That 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 motion follows a petition by a group purported to be the Indigenous Displaced People of Bakassi Communities (IDPBC), dated January 6, 2025, and 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.
