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Cross River students urge revisit of Bakassi question, decry FG’s neglect

By Anietie Akpan, Calabar
11 February 2018   |   3:55 am
Youths in Cross River State have decried the continuous neglect of the southern senatorial part of the state by the Federal Government, even as they lamented the unilateral ceding of the Bakassi Peninsular.

Bakassi Peninsula

Youths in Cross River State have decried the continuous neglect of the southern senatorial part of the state by the Federal Government, even as they lamented the unilateral ceding of the Bakassi Peninsular.

The youths, under the aegis of Southern Cross River State Students (SOCRISS), called for a review of the action on the ground that it did not only breach the constitution, but also lacked ratification by the National Assembly.

They expressed dismay that other issues such as the loss of 76 oil wells and accruable revenue, fraudulent and failed dredging of the Calabar Port Channel, and proposed privatisation of the Cross River National Park have not been addressed.

In a five-point communiqué released at the end of its meeting held in Akamkpa, at the weekend, the forum stated: “We hereby send a passionate appeal and a clarion call to Senator Bassey Edet Otu, to shake off his present lethargy, which may be misconstrued as premature retirement from politics and get ready to benefit from our massive support in the 2019 election for the senate seat of Calabar Senatorial District.”

The communiqué was jointly signed by President of SOCRISS Worldwide, Ntui Hilary Ntui, the President-General, Ajah E. Ajah, and the Secretary-General, Tete Ekpo Okon.

On zoning, the students declared their support for the Northern Senatorial District to complete the two-terms of the governorship seat, as provided for in the zoning system in tandem with the Accord of 1980.

“We also sustain the provision of the 1980 Accord of the founding fathers regarding the rotation and zoning of the governorship position to the component parts, which has been in vogue since the return to democratic rule in 1999 and support the Northern Senatorial District to complete its two-terms such that the south shall return in 2023 for the purpose of continuity, justice, equity and fair play.”

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