The Cross River House of Assembly has condemned a petition requesting the federal government to delist Bakassi from the 774 local government areas in the country.

The member representing Bakassi constituency in the assembly, Eyo Bassey, raised the issue under matters of urgent public interest at the House’s sitting on Wednesday

Recall that a group named “The Indigenous Displaced People of Bakassi” petitioned President Bola Tinubu, seeking to delist Bakassi Local Government.

The petitioners also copied the Senate president, the speaker of the House of Representatives, and the senator representing the Cross River South Senatorial District.

Mr Bassey accused the petitioners of failing to follow due process, saying, “They refused to engage the state authorities such as the executive and legislature.

“As the lawmaker representing the constituency, I was not consulted before the petition was submitted.  The petitioners circumvented established channels and authorities; their disregard for protocol is unfortunate.” 

The lawmaker reiterated his commitment to providing effective representation for the people of Bakassi through constructive engagements.

Other lawmakers who spoke during the sitting said that the Governor Bassey Otu-led government had demonstrated rare commitment to the well-being of the people.

They urged the people of Bakassi not to allow themselves to be manipulated and expressed confidence in Mr Otu’s commitment to protect their interests.

The Speaker, Elvert Ayambem, described the petition as ‘a complete misnomer and facade.’

He urged Cross River people not to blackmail or politicise sensitive issues about the state in order not to derail ongoing development efforts.

“Cross River is our common heritage. No atom of self-interest will derail the ongoing progress in the state. Cross River is on the right track. The current government is interested in the wellbeing of Bakassi people, the Deep Seaport project is an example of such interest,” he said.

(NAN)