By Mary Bassey, House of Assembly Correspondent
The Cross River State 10th Assembly has kicked against a petition sent to President Bola Tinubu by a group identified as the Indigenous Displaced People of Bakassi, communities urging the federal government to remove Bakassi from the 774 local government areas in the country.
According to Bakassi Joint Assembly, Senator Florence Ita Giwa and Barrister Okoi Obono-Obla had in Arise TV interview, proposed delisting of Bakassi Local Government Area of the State, from Nigeria’s 774 LGAs. A call that has garnered public uproar including Cross River State House of Assembly and the state government.
The petition, which also copied the Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Senator representing Cross River Southern Senatorial District, was criticized by lawmakers for bypassing state authorities and failing to engage Governor Bassey Otu directly.
Hon. Eyo Bassey, member representing Bakassi State Constituency, in a plenary raised a motion on the matter, clarifying that he was not consulted before the petition was submitted. He reaffirmed his commitment to addressing the needs of the Bakassi people through constructive engagement rather than political agitation.
The co-sponsors of the motion berated the petitioners for circumventing established channels, calling it an unfortunate disregard for protocol. Other Lawmakers highlighted key developmental projects being implemented in their constituencies by Governor Otu and urged the people of Bakassi to collaborate with the government rather than allow themselves to be manipulated by political interests.
READ ALSO: ‘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
The Legislators reiterated that Governor Otu’s “People First” Agenda is inclusive and benefits all parts of the state, including Bakassi. They noted the strategic initiatives such as the Bakassi Deep Seaport project as evidence of the administration’s commitment to Bakassi’s progress.
Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, condemned the petition as “a complete misnomer and facade,” warning that attempts to blackmail or politicize sensitive issues would not derail the state’s ongoing development.
“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 said.
The House resolved to summon those behind the petition to provide a public explanation and called on Bakassi stakeholders to embrace dialogue and cooperation as well as to remain calm and trust the government’s commitment to addressing their concerns.
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