The battle over the ownership of 76 lucrative oil wells between Cross River and Akwa Ibom states has taken a dramatic turn. In a statement that has reverberated across the political landscape of the Niger Delta, Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River revealed on Tuesday that his administration is actively pursuing the reclamation of the oil wells, which were controversially handed over to Akwa Ibom in 2012.
Speaking at a press briefing in Calabar, Otu emphasized that the state was determined to retrieve what it considers rightfully its own. “Cross River was wronged, and we are not backing down. The 76 oil wells belong to us, and we will fight to recover them,” the governor declared firmly.
Background to the Controversy
The origins of the dispute can be traced back to a Supreme Court judgment in 2012, which ruled in favor of Akwa Ibom, granting them the rights to the oil wells located offshore in the Gulf of Guinea. At the heart of the case was the claim that Cross River, having lost its maritime territory with the cession of the Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon in 2008, was no longer a “littoral state” and thus had no claim to the offshore oil reserves.
In the ruling, delivered by Justice Olufunlola Adekeye, the apex court dismissed Cross River’s appeal, stating that the state lacked the maritime territory needed to lay claim to the oil wells. The judgment was a significant blow to Cross River, which had held on to the wells for many years before the legal challenge was raised.
“The facts before the court do not support the claim of the plaintiff to being a littoral state. A non-littoral state cannot claim oil wells offshore as she has no maritime territory,” Justice Adekeye stated in the judgment. The court further explained that the cessation of the Bakassi Peninsula rendered Cross River’s claim untenable.
The ruling also stated that the National Boundary Commission (NBC) and the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation, and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) were not to blame for the loss, a position that angered many in Cross River, who felt that they had been unfairly stripped of valuable resources.
A New Chapter in the Struggle
Governor Otu’s recent declaration signals the beginning of a new chapter in the long-running dispute. Although the oil wells remain under Akwa Ibom’s control, the Cross River government is exploring legal and diplomatic avenues to reclaim them. “We know that these wells were wrongfully ceded to Akwa Ibom, and we have taken this up with all seriousness. While there’s still a legal process to follow, we believe that justice will prevail,” Otu added.
The 76 oil wells, situated off the coastline of the two states, are believed to contain significant reserves of crude oil. Despite the legal ruling, which favored Akwa Ibom, Otu disclosed that no money had been received by either state from the wells’ revenue since the Supreme Court’s decision. “As it stands, Akwa Ibom is not benefiting from the wells, and neither is Cross River. The proceeds from the oil wells are being held in an escrow account while the matter remains unresolved,” the governor revealed.
The Escrow Account: A Complex Situation
The holding of the oil proceeds in an escrow account adds a layer of complexity to the situation. For over a decade, the revenue from the disputed wells has been locked away, pending a final resolution of the legal ownership dispute. While this has prevented either state from capitalizing on the oil wealth, it has also raised questions about the future distribution of the resources.
“It’s a very tricky situation,” said Chijioke Udo, a political analyst based in Calabar. “Both states have claims to the wells, but until the legal issues are settled, no one is really benefitting. The fact that the funds are sitting in an escrow account means that the oil wealth is essentially frozen.”
Udo further pointed out that the decision to withhold funds in escrow could be a strategic move by the federal government to avoid inflaming tensions between the two states. However, this neutral position may no longer be tenable given the escalating calls from Cross River for a review of the 2012 judgment.
Cross River’s Path to Reclamation
Governor Otu’s administration has already begun laying the groundwork for a more aggressive push to regain control of the oil wells. Apart from seeking legal avenues, Otu is also planning a series of consultations with national stakeholders, including lawmakers and federal authorities, to highlight what he describes as the “injustice” done to Cross River.
Otu is particularly focused on the economic implications for the people of Cross River. “The loss of these oil wells has had a severe economic impact on our state. This is not just about legal claims; it’s about the livelihoods of our people, the development of our state, and our rightful share of national resources,” he stated.
The governor also indicated that he would explore diplomatic channels, including discussions with the government of Akwa Ibom, to see if a negotiated settlement could be reached. “We are ready for a peaceful resolution, but we will not back down from fighting for what is ours,” Otu asserted.
Akwa Ibom’s Response
While the Cross River government is taking a more vocal stance on the issue, Akwa Ibom has remained relatively quiet in recent months. The state’s leadership has not issued any formal statement in response to Governor Otu’s latest remarks, but sources suggest that they are closely monitoring the situation.
Political analysts believe that Akwa Ibom may be preparing for a counter-offensive, particularly if legal proceedings are launched to challenge the 2012 ruling. However, it remains to be seen whether Akwa Ibom will consider negotiations or seek to maintain its control over the oil wells.
The Bigger Picture: The Niger Delta’s Resource Struggles
The dispute over the 76 oil wells is part of a larger and ongoing struggle over resource control in the Niger Delta. Oil has long been the lifeblood of the region’s economy, but the distribution of the wealth generated by these natural resources remains contentious. Cross River’s fight to reclaim its oil wealth highlights the deep frustrations many states in the region feel about what they perceive as an unequal share of the oil revenue.
