Photo: unmultimedia.org

President Paul Biya (left) of Cameroon and President Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria (right), and former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan (centre)

Calabar and Abuja — The Federal Government came under criticism 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."