The Indigenous Displaced People of Bakassi Communities (IDPBC) have called on the federal government to direct the National Assembly to delist Bakassi Local Government Area (LGA) from Nigeria’s 774 constitutionally recognized LGAs.
In a petition addressed to President Bola Tinubu on January 6, 2025, the IDPBC highlighted unresolved issues stemming from the 2002 International Court of Justice (ICJ) judgment that ceded parts of the Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon.
Signed by 13 stakeholders, including former Bakassi Council Chairman Iyadim Amboni Iyadim, HRH Edem Archibong, and Princess Okuanwan Okon, the petition was also copied to the Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Attorney-General of the Federation, and Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, who represents Cross River South Senatorial District.
The group expressed frustration over the lack of progress in addressing their grievances and threatened to take legal action at the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice if their demands were not met.
Key Demands:
Repeal of Cross River State Law No. 7 (2007): This law created a “new Bakassi” from Akpabuyo LGA, which the group wants abolished.
Development of Unceded Territories: They called for the development of areas like Dayspring Islands 1 and 2 and Kwa Islands for their resettlement.
Relocation of Bakassi LGA Headquarters: The IDPBC demanded the council headquarters be moved from Ikot Effiom in Akpabuyo to Abana in Dayspring Island, as recognized in the constitution.
Accountability in Fund Allocation: They alleged that funds meant for developing unceded territories were being diverted to Akpabuyo LGA.
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cc: Daily Post Ng
