76 Oil Wells: Of Provocation And Propaganda From Across The River
By Michael Effiong
“Do not respond to a provocation with a reaction, but with a thoughtful action”,
This quote adapted from the writings of stoic philosopher, Epictetus was what was on my mind as I watched the Governor of Cross River State, Senator Bassey Out go on and on about the issue of the 76 oil well.
I could not help but shake my head, not out of derision but out for pity because His Excellency was struggling so hard, holding on to straws in an attempt to give his people some modicum of hope on a matter that with all intents and purposes is firmly locked in the hopeless category.
His battle cry of “people cannot be cheated forever…. enough of nonsense. Cross River State cannot take nonsense anymore, what is our right, is our right!!” Really? Mr. Governor, what right are we talking about sir?
Let’s be real, facts are facts, and law is law – and they’re both on Akwa Ibom’s side. There are no two sides to this matter. Akwa Ibom State never took our brothers in Cross River to court. They did-and after two attempts all the way to the Supreme Court, waking the dead horse now, with all these statements, is mere propaganda, so much sound and fury, signifying nothing.
In 2012, the Supreme Court of Nigeria delivered a binding judgment confirming that the 76 oil wells are within Akwa Ibom’s maritime territory, not Cross River’s. This decision was based on geographic coordinates, technical data from relevant agencies like RMAFC, NBC, and OSGOF, and the fact that Cross River lost its littoral status after the ceding of Bakassi to Cameroon. The Supreme Court’s decision is final, as per Section 235 of the Nigerian Constitution, and can’t be overturned by propaganda or sentiment. As the saying goes and famously deployed by Lord Denning, ex nihilo nihil fit, “You cannot build something on nothing”.
Let me take you down memory lane as enunciated by Akwa Ibom’s Attorney-General/ Commissioner of Justice, Uko Essien Udom, SAN:
In Suit No 124/1999, Cross River State sued over two principal matters:
The Northern non-estuarine boundary involving 24 villages of Oku, Itu and Ayadehe in Itu LGA of Akwa Ibom State, and
The Southern estuarine boundary where the oil wells are located.
On June 24th June 2005, the Supreme Court ruled in favour of Cross River State only in respect to portions of the Northern boundary. The Court dismissed Cross River’s claim over the estuarine southern territory, where all oil wells are situated.
In its landmark pronouncement, the Court made it clear that the October 2002 judgement of the International Court of Justice on the land and maritime boundary between Nigeria and Cameroun had fundamentally altered Cross River’s coastal status. The Court held that the ICJ decision effectively eliminated Cross River’s estuarine sector, with the legal implications that Cross River no longer possesd a seaward boundary.
Despite Akwa Ibom State’s efforts to promote peaceful engagement and harmony, further litigation was initiated by our brothers in Cross River on offshore entitlements.
On 10th July 2012 as referenced earlier in this piece, the Supreme Court ruled decisively in favour of Akwa Ibom State holding that:
Cross River State was no longer a littoral state entitled to offshore derivation
Its case was founded on a legally unsustainable assumption; and
Akwa Ibom State’s entitlement to the oil wells was fully recognized.
Therefore, Governor Umo Eno has rightly dismissed Cross River’s renewed claims as “baseless” and “propaganda.” He emphasized that “no amount of propaganda or sentiment can overturn the state’s rights to the oil wells as established by two valid Supreme Court judgments.” He also noted that facts are stubborn and can’t be washed away by emotional appeals or press statements. Cross River State is yet to present any fact to back their claims, is that how it works?
Like we say in journalism and captured in a famous quote by Charles Prestwich Scott, “Comment is free, facts are sacred “. And from all available facts, Governor Eno and the people of Akwa Ibom state are standing on solid ground as far as this matter is concerned.
Again, Governor Eno’s measured response to Cross River’s claims exemplifies his wisdom, political sagacity and peaceful mien. Rather than engaging in a war of words, he has chosen to stand on the facts and the law, demonstrating leadership and maturity.
By focusing on the legal and factual basis of Akwa Ibom’s claim, Governor has shown that the state won’t be swayed by emotional appeals or provocative statements. And let’s not forget, “A person who thinks all the time has nothing to think about except thoughts” – so Akwa Ibom’s focus remains on development, peace, and the rule of law.
The technical evidence supporting Akwa Ibom’s claim is overwhelming. The Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), National Boundary Commission (NBC), and Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation (OSGOF) have all provided data confirming that the wells fall within Akwa Ibom’s territory. These are not matters of opinion but of verifiable fact. As they say, “The truth will set you free, but first it will make you angry” – and it seems our brothers in Cross River are getting a bit heated.
Cross River’s claims of new mapping data are misleading and don’t represent the position of RMAFC or other relevant agencies. Such claims are premature and lack legal basis. The matter has been settled by the highest court in the land, and any attempt to “return” the wells to Cross River is a provocation without merit. As Governor Eno aptly puts it, the state’s rights would be protected, while expressing confidence in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s respect for the rule and urging our people to be calm.
In conclusion, the seeming dispute over the 76 oil wells is a legal matter, not a political one. The Supreme Court has ruled, and that ruling must be respected. Akwa Ibom’s claim to the wells is based on law, facts, and technical evidence. Any attempt to undermine this through propaganda or provocation won’t succeed. So, let’s keep it real and focus on development, not drama.
Effiong, a Senior Special Assistant to Governor Umo Eno writes from Lagos
