Should the NLC embark on another strike to protest the fuel price hike?
ICJ Judgement: Bakassi Indigenes Praised
From Amby Uneze in Calabara, 11.11.2004
For resorting to peaceful means of resolving the issue which emanated from the judgment of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) at The Hague on October 10, 2002 over the ownership of the area, the Governor of Cross River State, Mr Donald Duke, has praised the people of Bakassi Local Government area for their action. The governor highlighted the issue on the ground, statin gthat it has gone a long way and beyond the shores of the nation as well as absolving President Obasanjo's administration from blame over who took the matter to the International Court at the first time. The people who were on a solidarity procession to the governor's office yesterday are led by the chairman of the Bakassi Local Government Council, Mr Ani Essin and was accompanied by the Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa and the paramount ruler of the area, His Royal Highness Etinyin Etim Okon Edet. Duke explained that the Federal Government had put in her best while the case was in court in The Hague but expressed disappointment that judgment could not go in favour of Nigeria. He advised that what to do next was to use the head than the fist, stressin gthe Federal Government has held several meetings with the Secretary General of the United Nations as well as the Presidents of France and Cameroon over the issue because no president will go down in history as having ceded any part of his territory. Duke disclosed that one of the greatest achievements of the state government is having solved the vexed boundary issue between Akwa Ibom and Cross River states, describing it as "one of the daunting tasks while in office, so it is with President Obasanjo over the Bakassi whose potentials are economical rather than political." According to him, the whole world is interested in the issue of Bakassi as the Federal and State governments will ensure that the region is not turned into a theatre of war which at the end Nigeria might not be the winner becase of external backers, adding one of the greatest strengths of the President is international diplomacy and as such needs the confidence and support of the people of Bakassi. Duke said the issue is at a critical stage of negotiation that is why the solidarity visit of the people is appreciated as it goes a long way to show that they are an integral part of the nation, Nigeria hence they support the Federal Government and want peace between Nigeria and Cameroon, stressing that what the people need to know is the final resolution of the issue. He promised to convey the peoples message to the President as they impress on him that te state remains together as he met it in 1999 when he assumed office as an elected President of the country. Speaking earlier, the chairman of Bakassi LGA, Mr Esin in an affirmation of confidence on President Obasanjo on the ongoing resoluion on the Bakassi isue, said although the judgment tried to short-change their sovereignty, nationality and heritage, at no time did he (Obasanjo) treat the people otherwise. He added that they resolved to express support and faith on the President for the very mature and diplomatic manner he is currently handling the Bakassi issue.
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