yesterday over its decision not to seek a review of the world court
ruling that ceded the Bakassi peninsula to Cameroon, with members of
the Cross River State House of Assembly demonstrating on the streets
of Calabar.
Twenty-five state lawmakers took to the streets in a one-kilometer
march, chanting slogans insisting that Bakassi will remain a Nigerian
territory irrespective of the Federal Government's decision.
Attorney General of the Federation Mohammed Bello Adoke issued a
statement late Monday night saying government would not re-open the
Bakassi case because it was too late to make a successful review bid
with just a day to the end of the 10-year deadline provided by the
statutes of the International Court of Justice.
"Bakassi is our birth right, we will never let it go", the Cross River
lawmakers chanted as they marched to the Governor's Office to lodge a
protest yesterday.
Speaker of the state assembly Larry Odey said they were disturbed to
hear Adoke's statement just when they were expecting the government to
pursue a review of the case.
Member representing Bakassi area in the assembly, Saviour Nyong, who
described himself as one of the displaced persons, said the Federal
Government did not seek their consent before ceding the land to
Cameroun.
Nyong said no nation has ever surrendered its portion to another
without a plebiscite and said government's decision was an
international conspiracy against the people of Bakassi and Nigeria.
He said the Greentree Agreement between Nigeria and Cameroon, which
paved way for ceding the territory in 2004, had not been ratified by
the National Assembly in accordance with the constitution.
He added that the people of Bakassi have the right to take their
destiny in their own hands.
Another lawmaker, Jake Otu Enya, urged the Federal Government to
listen to the voice of the people and rescind its decision.
Legislator John Lebo urged Adoke to resign for what he called an
unconstitutional act.
Another lawmaker, Agbiji Agbiji, simply asked: "Whose interest is the
president (Jonathan) protecting?"
Joseph Bassey said the President Goodluck Jonathan was playing
politics with the peoples "inheritance".
Speaking when he received the protesting lawmakers, Governor Liyel
Imoke urged people in the state to remain calm and said hope is not
lost.
He said as far as he was concerned the committee to review the ICJ
judgment was yet to release its report, despite the statement issued
by Adoke on Monday. He said he was astonished to hear that Adoke said
Nigeria had no good case to seek a review of the Bakassi ruling.
Senators, Reps slam FG for "by-passing" N/Assembly
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Rules and Business, Senator Ita
Solomon Enang (PDP, Akwa Ibom North-East), yesterday said the
government had demonstrated a disregard for the resolutions of the
legislature by failing to reopen the Bakassi case.
"The executive just treated our resolution on the matter as
unimportant. The Attorney-General of the Federation just went to tell
the media that an appeal of the ruling would fail. This is very unfair
and unkind.
"Adoke should know that he is the Attorney-General of the Federation,
and not a private solicitor to the executive. The legislature is a
very important arm of government and its resolutions on national
issues should be taken serious. The Senate will soon pass further
resolution on the Bakassi issue," Enang said.
Also reacting, Senate Leader Victor Ndoma-Egba (PDP, Cross River
Central) told Daily Trust, through a text message, that the government
had failed to explore the available opportunity for a review.
"I wish we had utilised the opportunity offered by the window for a
review. I pray and hope that time and history vindicate the
government's position," he said.
Earlier yesterday, Southern Senators Forum chairman Senator James
Manager (PDP, Delta South) told journalists at the National Assembly
that the matter was beyond his forum, saying the Senate had to look
into it.
Sacrificing the Bakassi people
Rep. Ayi Essien Ekpenyong (PDP, Cross Rivers), who represents Bakassi
in the House, said, "The Attorney General wanted to play the role of
God and nobody can do that. The National Assembly which represents the
whole nation passed resolutions but the AGF felt different even last
week when the President invited us for a meeting he still remained
adamant. It is like you went to High court and lost a case and the law
said you can appeal, if you appeal and win so be it or if you lose
what does Nigeria stand to lose if we appeal?"
"The people of Bakassi are entitled to take any action now. I have
done my part as their representative; I have tried to calm them down.
I have given them hope because the National Assembly toed the line
which gave hope. Whatever they want to do they can do it, Nigeria is
big enough to handle any situation. But let it be know that if there
is any problem in that area it's the attorney general who should be
blamed."
Rep. Ahmed Babba Kaita (CPC, Katsina) said, "It is sad despite the
concerns shown by Nigerians the executive did not see reason as to why
to appeal. It is equally sad that both the previous and present
government have refused to seek legal expertise on Bakassi issue so as
to reclaim the land for our people. We are more or less sacrificing
the people of Bakassi which is unfortunate."
Rep. Nnena Elendu Ukeje (PDP, Abia), chairman House committee on
Foreign Affairs, said "We advised that we proceed immediately to the
ICJ to seek review of the judgment because we felt it was in the best
interest of the people of Bakassi and the best interest of Nigeria as
a nation. What the Attorney General did by not seeking review of the
judgment is not in conformity with the resolution of the National
Assembly. I feel disappointed; I feel that we have done ourselves a
disservice. I feel that he flouted the House resolution. We will go
back and look at the issue again since it was a resolution of the
whole House."
Minority Leader Rep Femi Gbajabiamila (ACN, Lagos) said, "It's
unfortunate because this same ICJ gave judgment against the United
States of America in the case of Nicaragua versus the US and the US
refused to obey it. And nothing came out of it. But we just gave away
our land just like that. Its very unfortunate."
No comments:
Post a Comment