The lawmaker representing Obanliku/Obudu/Bekwarra Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Mr. Peter Akpanke says the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling that ceded Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon, was unfair to Cross River state.
He made the disclosure during a Scorecard interaction with Cross River Journalists Forum (CROSSJOF), FCT chapter, in Abuja.
He also decried the subsequent Supreme Court judgment awarding seven six cross River state oil wells to Akwa Ibom state.
“Sincerely, we are a very small state struggling to survive. And then, from nowhere, they took our oil wells and ceded Bakassi to Cameroon. Our other oil wells were given to Akwa Ibom State. So, how do they want us to survive? Nigeria must revisit and discuss this issue”. Mr. Akpanke said.
The Federal lawmaker also commended the efforts by Governor Bassey Otu and the National Assembly to seek redress.
“I support what the governor is doing to resolve the matter. I also support what the National Assembly is doing. The law cannot exist without exceptions, there must be mechanisms to resolve such issues”, he pointed out.
He called for a judicial review of the matter,
Mr. Akpanke also said that the Supreme Court has, in the past, reversed itself on technical or constitutional grounds and the Cross River State case will not be different.
“So, the Hague should reconsider its decision and see how to help Cross River and Nigeria as a whole. We are very supportive of the Nigerian nation, we are patriotic, loyal, and committed Nigerians. We shouldn’t be punished for coming from a minority or from Cross River State,” he said.
The Parliamentarian however appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to appoint another substantive minister from Cross River State, following the suspension of the former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu.
“When we came on board, the President was magnanimous to us, we had two substantive ministers: the Minister of Sports and the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs.
“However it played out, we are still appealing to Mr. President to consider us. It’s his prerogative to appoint whoever he wants, but we appeal for a substantive minister from Cross River State. It’s a collective appeal from all of us,” he said.
While reeling out his achievements in the last two years, the House of Representatives member said that he has built schools in his constituencies.
“Without education, you cannot be sitting here interviewing me. So, we need to educate our young people”, he said.
He said that his policy thrust is not only education but the general wellbeing of his people.
On the need to attract tourists and investors to the state, he said that the Obudu Cattle Ranch was 80% completed
He added that when completed, the ranch will boost the economy of the state.
He also called on the state stakeholders to join hands with the governor to move Cross River state forward.