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Last Updated: Friday, November 12th, 2004 HOME | Previous Page
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Nigeria won�t hand-over Bakassi, Duke assures
By Bassey Inyang
Correspondent, Calabar
The Governor of Cross River State, Mr. Donald Duke has given indication that the disputed Bakassi peninsula would
not be handed over to Cameroun by Nigeria during the life span of the present administration of President Olusegun
Obasanjo.
Duke spoke in Calabar at a period a sharp division has been created within the ranks of the political leaders of
Bakassi local government area, following a dispute as to who should be the political leader of the people.
According to the governor, �no president would want to go down in history as having ceded any part of his territory.�
The governor while addressing the people of the area who were on a solidarity procession to Government House, Calabar,
however, said the Nigerian government would ensure that Bakassi was not converted into a theatre of warfare.
He stated that President Obasanjo�s strongest weapon, which is international diplomacy would be applied to ensure
peace between both countries..
This, Duke said has informed several meetings between Obasanjo, the Secretary-General of the United Nations and
the presidents of Cameroun and France.
He doubted if Nigeria would ever win a war against Cameroun because of the numerous external interest and backers
that would certainly be involved.
The governor enjoined the people to continue to believe in the administration of Obasanjo because of his determination
to protect their interests.
He pointed out that the solidarity visit was a pointer to the fact that the people of Bakassi are an integral part
of the nation, as well as demonstrate their desire to live in peace with the Camerounians. Duke, therefore, promised
that Nigeria will not let them down.
The people were led on the solidarity visit by Mrs. Florence Ita-Giwa, the paramount ruler of Bakassi, His Royal
Highness Etinyin Etim Okon Edet, the local government chairman, Ani Essin and a host of others.
The presence of these leaders with Ita-Giwa was a clear acceptance of her leadership of the people of Bakassi,
a development which has been seriously challenged by Chief Essien Aye, a member of the House of Representatives.
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