Amidst growing concerns over the renewed efforts by the Cross River State Government to reclaim the 76 oil wells ceded to the neighbouring Akwa Ibom State in 2012, Governor Umo Eno, has dismissed the insinuations, assuring the matter was already dead and buried.
LEADERSHIP learnt the matter has been generating anxiety with Governor Bassey Otu, of Cross River, reportedly considering plans to revisit the case, following the remapping and adjustments of boundaries especially around the litoral local government areas of Ibeno, Eastern Obolo, Mkpat Enin, Ikot Abasi, and others during the immediate past administration of Udom Emmanuel.
The government of Cross River State’s renewed interest stemmed from the fact that the former Governor Emmanuel, stated that the significant reason for redrawing the boundary lines stemmed from his (Emmanuel’s) disposition that Akwa Ibom created in 1987 by former military President Ibrahim Babangida, never had a truly acceptable map.
But Governor Eno, has urged the people to remain calm, saying everything was under control as the case in question had already been determined twice and put to rest by the Nigerian Supreme Court.
Clearing the air on the matter during the March edition of the Government House Monthly Prayer Service, held at the Latter House, Government House, Uyo, the governor recalled that “the issue had been to the Supreme Court twice and both ruled in favour of Akwa Ibom State government.”
He said there was no cause for alarm, as the case had been previously handled, but urged everyone to remain in the place of prayer for God to guide leaders to make the right decisions at all times in the interest of the people.
It would be recalled that the Supreme Court of Nigeria, in 2012, ruled in favour of Akwa Ibom State in the dispute involving the rightful ownership of the oil wells, dismissing Cross River’s appeal.
Justice Olufunlola Adekeye, who delivered the lead judgement, stated that “Cross River lost its status as a littoral state following the ceding of the Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon in 2008, consequently, Cross River is ineligible to claim offshore oil wells.
Governor Eno also called on Akwa Ibom people to desist from disparaging leaders at any level, stressing that such behavior is discouraging and can cause leaders to not give their best.
He advised Akwa Ibom people to avoid meddling into matters that they don’t have full understanding of, adding that “such could be disastrous both to the individual, and the State as a whole.”
Governor Eno who has been very emphatic in his inclusivity and peaceful disposition, said: “Let us respect our leaders, and we must not kill our Prophets. I think we should be able to encourage those that God has raised to lead us; and let them have that respect after they served us.
“About the oil wells, let’s keep praying, let’s keep trusting God. Keep praying to God, keep praying for the success of our President and that God will continue to grant him the wisdom to do the right thing. Let’s take it easy and go to God. He has not lost any battle and I know He won’t start with Akwa Ibom. What God has given to us belongs to us. So these are our fundamental beliefs.”
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