ObongUnwana Micheal
Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State has been chasing a dream, a dream of reclaiming 76 oil wells awarded to Akwa Ibom State by the Supreme Court in 2012. But from all indications, it seems he might have been misled by a smart government official promising him an administrative victory over a settled judicial decision. The people of Cross River State are being taken for a ride, and it’s time someone told them the truth.
The Supreme Court’s judgment was clear: Cross River State is not a littoral state, having lost its seaward coastline after the Bakassi Peninsula was ceded to Cameroon in 2002. This means it can’t claim offshore oil wells, as maritime boundaries are determined by contiguity, not indirect connectivity. Governor Otu’s advisors might have promised him a win, but they’ve likely misled him. The facts are clear: Cross River State has no legal basis to claim the 76 oil wells.
The people of Cross River State have been scammed into spending money to pursue a claim that’s already been settled by the Supreme Court. The oil wells belong to Akwa Ibom State, and no amount of political pressure or administrative maneuvering can change that. It’s time for Governor Otu to face reality and accept the Supreme Court’s judgment.
The Supreme Court’s decision was based on international law, specifically the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The court’s ruling was final, and attempts to revisit it may be seen as undermining the rule of law. Akwa Ibom State has been firm in its stance, with Governor Umo Eno dismissing Cross River’s claims as “political propaganda” devoid of legal merit.
Akwa Ibom State has the backing of the law, and it’s not going to back down. The state’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice have stated that no inter-agency committee or technical panel can alter or reinterpret the Supreme Court’s judgment. It’s time for Governor Otu to stop wasting resources and accept the inevitable.
The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) is conducting a coordinate plotting exercise to resolve oil well disputes. However, this exercise shouldn’t be seen as an opportunity to revisit settled decisions. The Supreme Court’s judgment is final, and it’s time for all parties to respect it.
Governor Otu’s vow to reclaim the oil wells has been met with skepticism, and rightly so. The people of Cross River State deserve better than false hopes and empty promises. It’s time for the governor to focus on developing his state rather than chasing a lost cause.
The Supreme Court’s judgment is a matter of record, and it’s not going to change. Akwa Ibom State will continue to assert its rights, and it’s time for Cross River State to accept the reality and move forward.
It’s time for Governor Otu to take responsibility and stop misleading the people of Cross River State. The 76 oil wells belong to Akwa Ibom State, and it’s time for Cross River State to explore alternative paths to development.
Governor Otu of Cross River State has likely fallen victim to a scam orchestrated by smart civil servants. The promise of reclaiming the 76 oil wells awarded to Akwa Ibom State by the Supreme Court in 2012 appears to be a “one chance” trick, where unsuspecting individuals are misled into pursuing a lost cause. It’s possible that Governor Otu was misinformed or misled by officials who stood to gain from the scheme.
I call on the good people of Cross River State to advise their governor to think outside the box and explore alternative paths to development. Instead of chasing a lost cause, Governor Otu should emulate the visionary leadership of Donald Duke, a former governor who transformed the state’s tourism sector, turning dust into gold. The state is blessed with natural beauty, rich culture, and untapped potential – it’s time for Governor Otu to tap into these resources and create a new narrative for Cross River State.
© ObongUnwana Micheal Joseph Okon is a public affairs analyst and writes from Ituk Mbang Uruan, Akwa Ibom State. 20th February 2026.