•Akparawa James Edet, International President Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio (MMI)
Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio, the foremost socio-cultural organisation of the Ibibio people and the fourth largest ethnic nationality in Nigeria, with chapters worldwide, has taken note of renewed claims by Cross River State concerning oil wells lawfully attributable to Akwa Ibom State — including the 76 wells judicially affirmed by the courts, as well as references to additional wells recently introduced into public discourse.
In a statement last night signed by Akparawa Elder Bassey Bassey, International Secretary-General and Akparawa James Edet, International President of MMI, and made available to The Frontier, the organisation said:
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Supreme Court of Nigeria on June 24, 2005 dismissed Cross River State’s claim over the southern estuarine boundary, thereby retaining the 76 oil wells in Akwa Ibom State.
“The Court held that, following the October 10, 2002 judgment of the International Court of Justice in the Nigeria–Cameroon land and maritime boundary case, Cross River State’s southern estuarine boundary had ceased to exist.
“This position was reaffirmed on July 10, 2012 in Suit No. SC.27/2010, when the Supreme Court again upheld Akwa Ibom State’s ownership.
“Subsequent historical and legal developments — including the 2002 ICJ ruling and the 2006 Green Tree Agreement, which formalised the cession of the Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon — altered Cross River State’s littoral status. These binding realities define the legal framework within which offshore and littoral entitlements must be determined.
“Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio notes with concern certain inflammatory statements reportedly emanating from the Government of Cross River State and some of its agents. Such rhetoric risks generating avoidable tension between two sister states bound by history, culture, commerce and enduring kinship. Akwa Ibom and Cross River are kindred peoples; these fraternal bonds must never be sacrificed on the altar of narrow interests or transient political ambitions. Where concerns arise, they should be addressed in a brotherly and constitutional manner — through lawful channels, mutual respect and constructive engagement.
“We commend the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno, PhD, for his mature, measured and statesmanlike handling of this matter, and for consistently defending the interests of the state with courage and restraint.
“We further call upon the relevant federal agencies — including the Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation, the National Boundary Commission, and the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission — not to be swayed by propaganda or political persuasion, but to remain guided strictly by the law, particularly the judgments of the nation’s apex court and all subsisting legal instruments governing this matter.
“While remaining peaceful and law-abiding, we shall firmly defend every resource lawfully accruing to Akwa Ibom State under the Constitution, established boundaries and binding judicial authority.
“We therefore reiterate unequivocally: All oil wells lawfully attributable to Akwa Ibom State remain settled, protected and non-negotiable.
“For, Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio:
Akparawa Elder Bassey Bassey
International Secretary-General,
Akparawa James Edet
International President, MMI”.
