Date Published: 07/04/09

Sir,

76 oil wells: Waiting for ex-gov Duke's comment

One has been reading the submissions from both sides (Akwa Ibom and Cross River States) on the oil-wells conflict. Most submissions from the side of Cross River were emotional in contents, while those from Akwa Ibom were based on (point of) rule of law.

The Akwa Ibom governor Godswill Akpbio had drawn the attention of the nation to the 2005 court judgment that explicitly showed that the oil wells belong to Akwa Ibom. He now suggests to the federal government to rather seek compensation for Cross River State and not look at any ‘political solution’ that would deny Akwa Ibom its due oil-wells as such would negate the rule of law and justice. Akpabio blamed the government of former President Obasanjo for creating the bad situation.

My investigation reveals that both ex-Governor Donald Duke and ex-President Obasanjo played bad roles in the process that brought about the present situation with Cross River. The duo, especially Duke whose people are now suffering, should throw light by making statements as to their roles otherwise the matter remains in the burner.

It should be recalled that when Akwa Ibom was fighting the federal government over the reversal of its fortune as it relates to the on-shore-of-shore oil derivation, former Akwa Ibom Governor Victor Attah had suggested historic angle to the issue as far as seaward boundaries are concerned, but Duke while trying to play a ‘good boy’ to Obasanjo decided to go against Attah; he then led Cross River to Supreme Court for adjudication and accordingly the judgment was given that Nigeria is in boundary with Cameroun at the Akwa Ibom waters while at Cross River, on land. When Bakassi was eventually ceded to Cameroun, Cross River became landlocked. Had Duke fought alongside Attah who wanted Cross River to access the waters, Cross River would have remained the rightful owner of the disputed 76 oil wells.  Therefore, the people of Cross River State should query Duke rather than fight Akwa Ibom; this could be the only way possible relief could come their way.

Simon Ufie

44 Balogun Street

Oshodi, Lagos.