Ayade, lawmaker differ on solution to Bakassi’s problem

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Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State and a lawmaker representing the south senatorial district, Gershom Bassey, have differed on the mode of solving the Bakassi problem.

While Ayade canvassed a legal option, the senator is seeking a political approach on the issue.

Ayade had said in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary and Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Christian Ita, that the state had suffered from ceding its oil wells to Cameroon.

“The governor is considering taking the Federal Government to court to claim over N3 trillion for the losses, claiming that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) did not follow any laid down procedure in law.

But, Basssey told The Guardian that the condition of Bakassi’s internally displaced persons at the Ikot
Eyo Edem camp in Akpabuyo was “deplorable, degrading and subhuman.”

He faulted Ayade’s legal option, adding: “The Federal Government treated the Bakassi issue with levity by failing to appeal against the judgment of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) within the 10 years window of petition.

“The Bakassi people need a properly negotiated resettlement plan and not a prolonged legal battle that would further impoverish the people.”

He, however, agreed with the governor that: “There is need for a speedy resettlement plan for the IDPs.”