The Indigenous Displaced People of Bakassi Communities have come out to set the records straight on the misinterpretation of their petition to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the challenges facing Bakassi.
Refuting claims that they sought the removal of Bakassi Local Government from the list of Nigeria's 774 councils, the group led by Chief Iyadim Amboni Iyadim insisted that Bakassi Local Government was established by the constitution and, as such, could not be delisted by their actions or intentions.
Speaking in Calabar on Friday, Iyadim declared that neither he nor his group ever authored or signed any document requesting the Federal Government to delist Bakassi from the local government structure of Nigeria.
"It is in my best interest and that of the group I represent to challenge anyone, dead or alive, to provide any document signed by us to the press as proof that we called for Bakassi to be removed from Nigeria's 774 local government areas," Iyadim said.
He stressed that Bakassi remains a recognized entity and that no person or group can alter this status without undergoing a comprehensive constitutional process.
"I am well aware of my rights, having navigated various processes. I am confident in my position and understand the times we are in, where people fabricate accusations without fear of God or consideration of consequences. Certain political opportunists and individuals ignorant of Bakassi's history—from its creation to its ceding and the resettlement process after 17 years of the ICJ judgment—are peddling falsehoods," he stated.
Iyadim, however, acknowledged that some aspects of the group's demands align with those of their critics, particularly on the coastal reclamation of Dayspring 1, 2, and Qua Island, the unceded part of the old Bakassi Peninsula, which they seek to reclaim to restore their political and traditional identity.
He clarified that their petition was not in opposition to the administration of Hon. Effiong Okon, Chairman of Bakassi Local Government, or the government of Cross River State, led by Governor Apostle Prince Bassey Edet Otu. Rather, their approach is constitutionally guided, seeking the proper resettlement of displaced Bakassi people as promised by the Federal Government 17 years ago. Hence, they submitted a Save Our Soul (SOS) letter to President Tinubu.
"The burden of resettling displaced Bakassi people is too heavy for the state government alone. Moreover, we are all registered members of the APC and worked tirelessly to secure victory for President Tinubu and other party candidates in the last general election. As responsible individuals, we cannot sabotage what we laboured to build," he explained.
Presenting a copy of their petition dated February 6, 2025, which was sent through their counsel, Obol Okoi Obono Obla, and endorsed by 28 signatories, Iyadim challenged critics to point out where the term "delisting" was mentioned in their submission. He urged the media to verify facts before publishing unfounded allegations.
To further reinforce his stance, Iyadim, a former chairman of Bakassi Local Government, read out the seven key demands in their letter to President Tinubu:
1. That the Federal Government, through the National Assembly, should pass a resolution for the resettlement of displaced Bakassi people in the unceded parts of the peninsula—Dayspring 1, 2, and Kwa Island—as shown in the attached Cross River State map.
2. The legal transfer and relocation of Bakassi Local Government Area headquarters from Ikot Effiom to Abana in Dayspring Island.
3. Immediate land reclamation, shoreline protection, and infrastructural development of Dayspring 1, 2, and Kwa Island to restore the identity and sense of belonging of displaced Bakassi people.
4. Provision of adequate security in Dayspring 1, 2, and Kwa Island to safeguard lives and properties.
5. Implementation of the Supreme Court ruling on local government autonomy to ensure Bakassi Local Government funds are used for the development of the designated Bakassi State Constituency in Dayspring 1, 2, and Kwa Island.
6. Repeal of Cross River State House of Assembly Law No. 7 of 2007, which was set aside by the Supreme Court on February 23, 2018, following a suit filed by the people of Ikang.
7. Directive to RMAFC and the Ministry of Finance to withhold and secure Bakassi Local Government federal allocations in an escrow account to prevent further misappropriation of funds.
Iyadim reaffirmed that their mission is solely to seek justice and proper resettlement for displaced Bakassi people, not to undermine the government or its officials.
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