By Patrick Obia
Amid ongoing controversy surrounding the agitation of delisting Bakassi Local Government Area from the list of 774 LGAs in the country, as proposed by Senator Florence Ita Giwa and Barrister Okoi Obono-Obla during an Arise TV interview, Obono-Obla has fought back and criticized the Cross River State House of Assembly.
The state Assembly had, earlier this week, condemned the actions of Ita-Giwa and Obono-Obla, as well as a petition sent to President Bola Tinubu by a group known as the Indigenous Displaced People of Bakassi Communities.
This petition, which was also sent to the Senate President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Senator representing Cross River Southern Senatorial District, was condemned by the Assembly for bypassing state authorities and failing to consult Governor Bassey Otu directly.
The Assembly and the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem condemned the petition as “a complete misnomer and facade,” and warned that any attempts to politicize or blackmail sensitive issues would not hinder the state’s ongoing development.
READ: ‘They DareDevils, Wicked Liars And Greed-Driven’ – Indigenes Blast Senator Ita Giwa, Obono-Obla For Asking FG To Delist Bakassi From Nigeria’s 774 LGAs
“Cross River State is our common heritage. No one local government is more Cross River than the other. No atom of self-interest will derail the progress the state is witnessing. Cross River State is on the right track,” Ayambem stated.
In response to these criticisms, Barrister Obono-Obla hit back, stating that the House of Assembly “has no atom of jurisdiction over the matter.”
“What is the business of the Cross River State House of Assembly with people exercising their right to express themselves via a petition to a constituted authority? The Indigenous Displaced People of Bakassi Communities have the fundamental right to express themselves by writing to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to draw his attention to the neglect of successive Federal Governments in settling the Displaced People of Bakassi. No Jupiter can, therefore, derogate their fundamental right to express and hold opinions on the issue. Indeed, the Cross River State House of Assembly has no atom of jurisdiction over the matter,” he said on his Facebook page.
READ ALSO: Lawmakers Frown At Ita Giwa, Obono-Obla, Others Agitation To Delist Bakassi From Nigeria’s 774 LGAs
Obono-Obla accused Speaker Ayambem of threatening the petitioners with arrest and charges of treasonable felony. “However, the Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly has unfortunately threatened the leaders of the Displaced People of Bakassi with arrest for treasonable felony. What is treasonable felony?” he questioned.
He then referenced Section 37 of the Criminal Code, which reads: “Anyone who intends to commit treason, such as removing the President or Governor through unconstitutional means, levying war against Nigeria, or instigating foreigners to invade, is guilty of a felony and liable to life imprisonment.” He then asked, “So, how does writing to Mr. President constitute a treasonable felony?”
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“Does the Cross River State House of Assembly know what amounts to a treasonable felony in threatening to arrest the leaders of the Indigenous Displaced People of Bakassi Communities for writing to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu? This is outrageous and inconceivable! Even in a military regime, no such thing can happen! It is unfathomable that supposed elected representatives of the people would behave in such an authoritarian manner! I shudder ceaselessly,” he expressed.
The former presidential aide also claimed that the real displaced people have never been settled. “Dayspring 1, Dayspring 2, and Kwa Island in Bakassi have never been developed with allocations from the Federation accounts because the funds have never been utilized but are deviated to Akpabuyo LGA. There has been despicable corruption going on in Bakassi,” he alleged.