Date Published: 05/29/09

Dear Editor,

Akwa Ibom at 'WAR' with neighbours and citizens

It is disheartening to notice how the government of Akwa Ibom State is responding to the neighbouring Cross River and Rivers States as it concerns the ceded 186 oil-blocks; 76 from Cross River State, now particularly rendered non-oil producing.

I expect Akwa Ibom government to suggest ‘political solution’, just as the federal government eventually did when Attah went to ‘legal war’ with it. I would rather Akwa Ibom do not join issues with the two States now in court, as a solution to the matter. It should be understood that the aggrieved States were only trying to seek redress hence they went to court.

Even within Akwa Ibom State, one is sad to note how the heroes of the on-shore/off-shore oil dichotomy abrogation that made it an oil-producing State are being treated now. Has Akwa Ibom (at any time) deemed it fit to honoured former President Ibrahim Babangida who not only created the State but abrogated the obnoxious on-shore/off-shore oil dichotomy; Ebonyi State Governor’s Lodge till date bears the name “Abacha House”, an honour given Abacha for creating that State, yet Abacha stands a ‘discredited’ name in the eyes of most Nigerians. How has the State treated retired Air Commodore Idongesit Nkanga who was the Military Governor at the time the abrogation took place? How has it honoured the respected Lady of Songs Christy Essien Igbokwe (daughter of the soil) who was the vessel used to achieve the abrogation? How has it treated the immediate past Governor Victor Attah (Akpabio’s political mentor) who fought Obasanjo to reclaim the status (established) of oil-producing State?

I advise Akpabio to explore political solution in dealing with his government’s case with Cross River and Rivers States. He should also try honouring rather than fighting those architects that gave Akwa Ibom State its present economic status,  

Dr. Fredrick Efosa

189 Ikpoba Road

Benin City

Edo State.