Soku Council of Chiefs, Elders and Leaders have commended the Rivers
State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike for his dogged struggle that led to
the Federal High Court judgment that returned the Soku oil Wells/fields
to the State.
Addressing journalists on Tuesday, Chairman of Soku Council of Chiefs,
Chief Telema Imoh said: “We the Council of Chief, Elders, CDC, Youth,
Women and entire people of Soku Community in Kalabari-Ijwa ethnic
nationality in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State do
hereby address the press and state as follows:
” Express our immense thanks to God almighty for life on the victory
surrounding the disputes of Soku land, Oil Wells/Field and associated
rights.
“We thank the executive governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Chief,
Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike (CON, GSSRS, POS (JP) for his doggedness, in
securing the return of the illegally ceded Soku Oil Wells/Field to
Rivers State. We appreciates and identify with his developmental strides
in the State.”
The Group added: “The whole issue of recent started with the illegal
ceding of Soku Oil Wells/Field from Rivers State to Bayelsa State; with
the issuance of the defective administrative map (11th edition) wherein
the age long inter-state boundary line was unilaterally shifted from
Santa Barbara River to St. Bartholomew in favour of Bayelsa State by the
National Boundary Commission (NBC).”
They pledged their loyalty and support to the Governor and also urged
their Kalabari brothers and Ijaws to also support him.
“Efforts by the Government of Rivers State to correct the wrong
constitutionally and constructively proved futile. This was even with
the written admission and firm promise by the said NBC to correct the
error in the administrative map of the (12thedition).
“The National Boundary Commission equally reneged on their assurance to
all Parties not to apply the defective 11thedition of the administrative
map in any official dealings. These are contained in their letter vide
NBC. SEC.4/575/25 dated 23/07/2002, this led to the Rivers State
Government going to Supreme Court in suit no. SC106/2009 for justice.
The Supreme Court in its judgment on the 19th of July, 2012 stated the
Rivers Case as premature. It ordered the NBC being the statutory body on
the matter to complete its demarcation having admitted their errors
earlier.
“Dissatisfied by this ugly scenario, the Rivers State Government under
the leadership of His Excellency Chief, Barr. Nyesom Wike approached the
Federal High Court Abuja, in suit no. FHC/ABJ/CS/984/19 to effect the
enforcement of the declarative judgment.
” Today the entire people of Soku Community are elated to thank God
almighty, and the “Dike Oha Ikwerre” the Executive Governor of Rivers
State His Excellency Chief, Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, for his fighting
spirit to bring back the illegally ceded Soku Oil Wells/Field to Rivers
State. The people of Soku cannot thank His Excellency enough for this
declarative judgment delivered on the 16th December, 2019. We wish to
express our unalloyed support to the administration of Governor Wike. We
call on the Federal Government to also act on this court Judgment”, the
Soku Council of Chiefs stated.
Chairman of Akuku-Toru Local Government Area thanked the Rivers State
Governor for his support for the Soku people and the entire Kalabari
Kingdom.
He said the immediate past Administration in the state made so much
noise about the Soku Oil Wells/fields, but did nothing tangible to
retrieve the oil Wells/fields. He said from the suit number, it was
clear that Governor Wike initiated the legal action to correct the
injustice.
Member Representing Akuku-Toru/Asari-Toru Federal Constituency, Rt Hon
Boma Goodhead lauded Governor Wike for taking up the issue of Soku Oil
Wells/fields and ensuring that the people get Justice.
She said the relevant authorities should ensure that the funds that have
accrued to Soku Community and Rivers State.