The Development Association of Cross River State (DACRISS), has watched with grave concern a video currently circulating on social media in which the President of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, is heard making a number of highly controversial and deeply troubling statements concerning Cross River State, its littoral status, its people and its relationship with Akwa Ibom State.
At first, we sincerely hoped the video was artificially generated or manipulated, because it is difficult to reconcile such statements with the constitutional responsibility and stature of the number three citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
But having listened carefully to the full remarks, we are compelled to demand clarity, restraint and accountability.
If the statements are authentic, then they are not merely unfortunate. They are reckless, insensitive and dangerously ill-advised, particularly coming from a man occupying an office whose primary responsibility at this critical moment should be to promote national unity, peaceful coexistence and respect for Nigeria’s diversity. It also goes further to confirm, that truly education is worth its place in both leadership responsibilities and political aspirations.
An enlightened, exposed and educated Senate President should know that statements concerning land, territory, ethnicity, state identity and historical boundaries are conflict-sensitive matters. They should never be reduced to political jokes, applause lines or sweeping declarations at public ceremonies.
On the issue concerning Cross River litoral status, Akpabio should know better. He should know that geographical boundaries are not determined by political statements neither are they issues of debates during anniversary celebrations.
The current map of Nigeria (which we have attached here) is instructive. It shows the Cross River estuarine system opening towards the Atlantic, with the Akpa-Afe area and its islands positioned at the mouth of the estuary. These are matters that deserve serious scientific examination, not political dismissal. The Calabar Port is deep inside the Calabar estuary, while the Akpa-Afe islands are situated much closer to the Atlantic approaches. Indeed, the Federal Government has itself undertaken hydrographic, geophysical and geotechnical surveys for the proposed Bakassi Deep Seaport, with the National Hydrographic Agency subsequently presenting navigational charts to Cross River State. The Cross River Government has said those charts affirm the State’s coastal status.
It is therefore difficult to understand why the geographical and scientific dimensions of this matter should be reduced to a political declaration
The loss of Bakassi to Cameroon was a painful historical development for Cross River and Nigeria. It must not become a precedent for progressively stripping Cross River of every remaining aspect of its maritime heritage. This is another attempt to rewrite the geographical heritage of Cross River. We must resist it with facts, science and lawful process—not hatred or hostility toward our brothers and sisters in Akwa Ibom.
We are equally concerned by the statement attributed to the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, that about 40 percent of Cross River’s population are Akwa Ibom people and that many of our traditional and political leaders are from Akwa Ibom.
We would ordinarily not want to join issues with him on this. But since he has chosen to make it a public issue, he should expect Cross Riverians to ask some very simple questions.
Where did the 40 percent figure come from? Who conducted the survey? When was it done and what was the methodology?
But even assuming, for the sake of argument, that the figure is correct, what exactly does it prove?
People move. People settle. People marry. People establish businesses and raise families outside their ancestral homes. That is not peculiar to Cross River. Lagos, for instance, is home to millions of Nigerians from different parts of the country, many of whom have gone on to occupy important political, traditional, religious and economic positions. Nobody uses that fact to suggest that Lagos has ceased to belong to Lagosians.
So why should the presence of Akwa Ibom people in Cross River be presented as something unusual or politically significant?
There is an old Efik saying that when you give your house-help too much space in the house, he may begin to forget his place and start measuring himself with the children of the house.
That saying is relevant here.
Cross Riverians have opened their doors to people from Akwa Ibom and other parts of Nigeria. Many have come here, found peace, built businesses, raised families and established themselves. Some have even participated in politics and occupied traditional positions.
We have no problem with that.
But accommodation does not confer ownership. Residence does not redraw boundaries. And occupying an office does not change the history of the people whose mandate created that office.
If indeed about 40 percent of Cross River’s residents are Akwa Ibom indigenes, Senator Akpabio should perhaps ask why so many of his people have chosen to remain here.
Why have they found Cross River peaceful enough to live in, prosperous enough to do business in and comfortable enough to raise their families?
Rather than ridicule Cross River for accommodating its neighbours, the better question for any responsible leader should be how to make their state attractive enough for its citizens to prosper at home.
On the issue of Akwa Ibom indigenes occupying political and traditional positions in Cross River, Senator Akpabio should equally be mindful of the message he is sending.
Cross Riverians have the right to decide who participates in the affairs of their state. If, at different times, they have chosen to accommodate people of different backgrounds, that is a demonstration of confidence, not an invitation for anyone to rewrite the political history of the state.
We know the difference between a resident and an indigene. We know the difference between participation and ownership.
Senator Akpabio is an elder, a former governor and the President of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. His position places a responsibility on him to build bridges, not create unnecessary suspicion between two neighbouring states whose people share families, culture, commerce and a long history of interaction.
If, as he said, “we are one”, then let that brotherhood be reflected in the way we speak about one another.
One state should not have to diminish the other for either to prosper.
We also reject the attempt to portray the Senate committee positions occupied by Cross River senators as personal gifts to Cross River.
Our senators were elected by Cross Riverians. Their committee positions are products of parliamentary politics, negotiations and alliances. They are not political favours that place Cross River under an obligation to anybody.
Senator Akpabio should also remember his own history with Cross River.
He lived in Calabar. He was accommodated here. He was educated here. He interacted with Cross Riverians and benefited from the opportunities available in the state.
Cross River was part of his journey.
That history should make him more careful when speaking about the state, not less.
We therefore call on the Senate President to choose his words carefully, particularly when addressing sensitive issues involving territory, ethnicity, state identity and the relationship between neighbouring communities.
Nigeria has enough tensions already. The last thing the country needs is a national leader making statements that can be interpreted as setting one brother against another.
Cross River does not seek a quarrel with Akwa Ibom. We seek peaceful coexistence, mutual respect and cooperation.
But we will not accept the rewriting of our story for political convenience.
We will not be intimidated by political office, nor will we allow anyone to use the presence of their people in Cross River as a political weapon against the state.
Let the relationship between Cross River and Akwa Ibom remain what it should be: that of neighbours, brothers and partners—not competitors fighting over who has the right to exist.
And to those who believe Cross River can be taken for granted because of its accommodating nature, let them be reminded that every generosity has a limit.
When the time comes to defend what belongs to Cross River, Cross Riverians will know what to do. They will stand with Govenor His Excellency Sen. Prince Bassey Edet Otu to Defend and Collect What Belongs to us to the Last Kobo
Signed:
Chief John Offiong, Chief of Party, DACRISS
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