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News Sport Weather World Service Languages Low Graphics version | Change edition About BBC News | Feedback | Help News Front Page Africa Americas Asia-Pacific Europe Middle East South Asia UK Business Health Science/Nature Technology Entertainment ----------------- Have Your Say In Pictures Week at a Glance Country Profiles In Depth Programmes LANGUAGES MORE > Last Updated: Friday, 3 September, 2004, 18:46 GMT 19:46 UK E-mail this to a friend Printable version Nigeria seeks Bakassi referendum Most of Bakassi's fishermen consider themselves Nigerian Nigeria's House of Representatives has called for a referendum in Bakassi before it is handed over to Cameroon on 15 September. Nigeria is due to give up the disputed region after a 2002 International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling awarded the territory to Cameroon. Essien Ayi, who proposed the motion to the lower house, said the resolution represented the wish of the country. He urged the government to ask for a United Nations-supervised plebiscite. 'Unprecedented resistance' The oil-rich peninsula is home to tens of thousands of Nigerian fisherman and their families. Mr Ayi, who represents Bakassi and Calabar South federal constituency, said people in Bakassi do not want to be Cameroonian. "They have nothing to do with Cameroon in terms of culture, in terms of anything," he told the BBC's Focus on Africa programme. He claims it is illegal for the government to cede land belonging to Nigerians which is listed in the Nigerian constitution. After clashes in the 1990s, the territory was awarded to Cameroon in a 2002 ICJ boundary ruling based on a 1913 colonial agreement. The two countries set up a joint boundary commission to implement the ruling, which has so far seen 33 villages along the northern land boundary transferred to Cameroon, while two Cameroonian villages have been given to Nigeria. According the BBC's Yusuf Sarki Muhammad in the capital Abuja, after the House of Representatives adopts a motion, it is conveyed to the president's office. There has so far been no reaction from President Olusegun Obasanjo, who has agreed to abide by the ICJ ruling. If the handover goes ahead later this month, Mr Ayi says there will be unprecedented resistance in Bakassi. "We are going to defend ourselves," he said. E-mail this to a friend Printable version LINKS TO MORE AFRICA STORIES SelectUS plans new resolution on DarfurUN appeal to stop locust 'plague'Thatcher son could be interviewedSA man charged for 'nuclear bomb'Nigeria seeks Bakassi referendumTutsis boycott Burundi cabinetLibya inks $35m Berlin bomb dealNigerian official in fraud probePrince Harry makes Aids docu-filmExtra troops for Nigeria oil townMuseveni wins referendum appealS Leone election chief steps downGrim search after Uganda collapseForeign truckers released in IraqDR Congo rebel back in governmentSpotlight catches Sudan's red tapeNigerians put down new roots in IrelandTransvestite trial the talk of NigeriaCan Blair save Africa from poverty?Do you have a story to tell?Send us your pictures of AfricaProgrammes and schedules  SEE ALSO: Doing time in a Cameroon 'cell' 24 Aug 04  |  Africa Nigeria hands Cameroon villages 19 Dec 03  |  Africa 'My home is in another country' 19 Jan 04  |  Africa Nigeria stalls on Bakassi 07 Aug 03  |  Africa RELATED BBC LINKS: Focus on Africa RELATED INTERNET LINKS: Nigeria Congress Cameroonian presidency International Court of Justice The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites TOP AFRICA STORIES NOW US plans new resolution on Darfur UN appeal to stop locust 'plague' Thatcher son could be interviewed SA man 'building nuclear bomb' News alerts | E-mail services | Desktop ticker | Mobiles/PDAs Back to top ^^ News Front Page | Africa | Americas | Asia-Pacific | Europe | Middle East | South Asia UK | Business | Entertainment | Science/Nature | Technology | Health Have Your Say | In Pictures | Week at a Glance | Country Profiles | In Depth | Programmes BBC Homepage >> | BBC Sport >> | BBC Weather >> | BBC World Service >> About BBC News | Help | Feedback | News sources | Privacy & Cookies Policy | About the BBC

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