By Frank Ulom
CALABAR (CONVERSEER) – The long-running dispute between Akwa Ibom and Cross River States over the ownership of 76 offshore oil wells has resurfaced, following a strongly worded statement by the Government of Akwa Ibom State and a response from the Cross River State Government, on Friday.
In its statement titled “76 Oil Wells: Restatement of Facts”, the Akwa Ibom State Government dismissed recent claims purportedly emanating from Cross River and reiterated that ownership of the oil wells had been conclusively settled by the Supreme Court.
According to the statement signed by Akwa Ibom’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Uko Udom (SAN), Cross River had lost two suits on the matter, with the apex court declaring that the 2002 International Court of Justice (ICJ) judgment ceding the Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon stripped Cross River of littoral status and, therefore, the right to offshore oil assets.
The Akwa Ibom Government emphasised that contrary to widespread perception, it did not initiate legal action but rather acted as a defendant after Cross River sued over the disputed territory.
“The Supreme Court, in its landmark ruling of 24th June 2005, ruled in favour of Cross River only on the northern boundary involving 24 villages but dismissed their claim over the estuarine southern territory, where the oil wells are located,” the statement read.
The apex court further reaffirmed its position on 10th July 2012, ruling that Cross River was not a littoral state and, as such, could not claim offshore oil wells.
Akwa Ibom also highlighted efforts it made to resolve the dispute amicably, including a proposed ₦250 million monthly ex gratia payment, which it said Cross River rejected. It accused some Cross River officials of “incendiary and patently false claims” and urged political dialogue rather than media campaigns.
“The Government of Akwa Ibom State will continue to uphold the sanctity of judicial pronouncements, promote peace, and defend what rightly belongs to our people,” the statement added.
Cross River Denies Official Statement on Oil Wells
Responding, the Cross River State Government denied issuing any official statement on the matter and distanced itself from recent comments attributed to former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. John Gaul Lebo.
In a statement by Andrea Ekeng Inyang, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on New Media, Cross River said the views circulating were private opinions of concerned citizens, which have been misconstrued as government policy.
While acknowledging that citizens have the constitutional right to express their views under Section 39(1) of the 1999 Constitution, the state government linked the renewed public debate to the recently concluded hydrographic and geophysical surveys, which it said may have questioned previous findings on Cross River’s maritime status.
The statement described Akwa Ibom’s allegations of incitement as “deeply insulting” and stressed that Governor Bassey Otu’s administration remained committed to peaceful coexistence.
“To accuse the Otu administration of inciting the public against the government and people of Akwa Ibom State is not only inaccurate but deeply insulting to the character and leadership of a Governor who has consistently demonstrated inclusivity,” the statement read.
It added that Akwa Ibom citizens residing in Cross River had continued to thrive, with some occupying strategic positions in government.
“This statement issued by our sister state, which appears intended to tarnish the hard-earned reputation and collaborative spirit fostered by this administration, should be strongly condemned by all well-meaning citizens,” the statement added.
Background of the Dispute
The dispute over the oil wells stems from the ICJ’s 2002 judgment that ceded the Bakassi Peninsula from Nigeria to Cameroon, effectively removing Cross River’s access to the Atlantic Ocean. Akwa Ibom has since been recognised as the littoral state entitled to the oil wells, while Cross River has continued to contest the judgment’s implications.
President Bola Tinubu had recently urged both states to embrace political dialogue and seek mutually beneficial cooperation.
