By Tony Iwuoma
The Cross River State House of Assembly was, on Tuesday, besieged by hordes of Bakassi youth, who took to the streets to demand the return of the 76 oil wells, which the government of former President Olusegun Obasanjo handed over to Akwa Ibom State, in 2007.
They also deplored the noncompliance of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to adhere to Law No. 7 enacted by the State House of Assembly, which guarantees them the right to vote in their new location instead of at Dayspring Island.
The youth carried placards, which bore different inscriptions like ‘Give us our oil wells, ‘We have been patient enough,’ ‘INEC should respect Law No. 7’, ‘We cannot be refugees in our own country’, etc.
Leader of the youth, Kingsley Asuquo, who spoke with newsmen outside the Assembly complex saying, “The Federal Government should revisit the handing over of Cross River State oil wells to Akwa Ibom State. “Bakassi youths have been neglected. There are no financial benefits to us since we lost the oil wells to Akwa Ibom.
“Since they gave the oil wells to Akwa Ibom, nothing has been done for the youth.”
The House Leader, who is also the representative of Ogoja State Constituency, Hon. Peter Odey, received the youth on behalf of the Speaker.
Odey lauded the youth for the peaceful protest, describing the handover of the oil wells as a ‘mystery’.
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In the words of Odey, “I want to say that the Cross River State House of Assembly respects your view and the right to carry out your protest.
“We stand with you on this. The issue of the 76 oil wells is an issue that is still a mystery to us as lawmakers.
“Even the governor of the state said he was going to ask the Supreme Court of Nigeria to review their own judgment because it is only the Supreme Court of Nigeria that can upturn themselves.
“The 76 oil wells were not only seized from Bakassi. They were taken from Cross River State. All the Local Government Areas in Cross River State are suffering from that action.
“As they say, injury to one is injury to all. We support your movement. I assure you that the Cross River State House of Assembly will look into what you have submitted to us today,” Odey said.
He also told the youths that the issue of delineation of constituencies was beyond the Assembly and advised the youths to approach INEC accordingly.
According to him: “As for the issue of INEC, I would advise you to write to INEC because they are the only ones, who have the power to delineate wards and constituencies.
“It is beyond the powers of the state House of Assembly. I will advise the youths to use the same peaceful manner to approach INEC, if possible seek legal action against it. I feel your pains. I feel the injustice that has been done.”
