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Sen. Florence Ita-Giwa, leader, Bakassi Peoples' Assembly (BPA), on Friday in Lagos, said that the assembly dissociated itself from recent declaration of independence by a group from the area.
Ita-Giwa, who said this while speaking with newsmen, added, “the BPA dissociates itself from the purported declaration of a sovereign state of Bakassi.
“We have no intention to secede from the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“It is our view that the issue confronting the Bakassi people is not served by a declaration of independence, but by accelerating the resettlement of our people in the location of our choice, “ she said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Bakassi Self-Determination Front (BSDF), last Thursday declared the Bakassi people independent of any nation.
NAN also recalls that the BSDF hoisted a Bakassi official flag and launched a radio station.
It should be recalled that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Oct. 10, 2002, ruled that the oil-rich Bakassi did not belong to Nigeria but Cameroun.
She said that the assembly aligned itself with the resolution of the House of Representatives calling for a review of the 2002 ICJ judgement.
“We, however, note that the statute of limitation for such a move will expire on the 10th of Oct. 2012, barely eight weeks from now.
“So any such action should be accelerated in the light of the numerous violations of provisions of the Green Tree Agreement by Cameroon authorities.
“We demand the urgent and expeditious development of the unceded parts of Bakassi, known as Day Spring Islands 1 and 2, as well as Kwa Island, “ she said.
Ita-Giwa lamented that the Bakassi indigenes have been roaming hopelessly since 2006, hence the need for their comprehensive resettlement.
She urged the Cross Rivers and Akwa Ibom States Government to look for ways to reach amicable settlement that would be mutually beneficial to all.
NAN reports that at the?news conference in Lagos?were representatives of the 10 political wards comprising 323 villages in Bakassi. (NAN)