The president-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari [retd] has promised to revisit the controversial issue surrounding the ceding of Bakassi Peninsula to the Cameroonian government.
Buhari said this when a group of nonpartisan Cross River State indigenes paid him a courtesy visit prior to the inauguration date.
He said his brief about Bakassi will be very limited because his knowledge about the subject matter for now is not deep but that he will look into any attendant problem arising from it when he assumes office.
General Buhari in his response said that Cross River State is very dear to his heart.
He said he was in Ogoja, Ikom during the Nigerian Civil War about 45 years ago as a young Army Officer.
He said he remembered Chief I.I Murphy and late Chief Micheal Ani and spoke very fondly of them.
General Buhari said he worked with Chief Murphy and Chief Ani and other eminent Cross Riverians as a young Army Officer and promised to address the problems of Cross River State particularly the oil wells and infrastructural problem.
He promised to be a father to all despite political differences.
Speaking during the visit, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba congratulated the president-elect on his victory at the 28th March, 2015 presidential polls and thanked God that in spite of the doomsday predictions , Nigeria had a very peaceful elections which we have not only further deepened our democracy but also strengthened our unity and re-affirmed our faith in Nigeria.
Attached is the brief remarks by Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, OFR, CON, SAN, senate leader leading a delegation of eminent Cross Riverians to His Excellency, General Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, president elect of the federal republic of Nigeria on Tuesday, May 5, 2015:
Your Excellency,
On behalf of myself and members of this non-partisan delegation, made up of eminent Cross Riverians who have just individually introduced to you, thank you for making our time from your very busy schedule to grant us audience.
We use this opportunity to congratulate you on your victory at the 28th March, 2015 presidential polls and to thank God that in spite of the doomsday predictions , we had very peaceful elections which we have not only further deepened our democracy but also strengthened our unity and re-affirmed our faith in Nigeria.
Let me right away apologise to you on behalf of all well-meaning Cross Riverians on the acts of disrespect shown you during your electioneering in our State. We are by nature respectful and famous for our hospitality. We plead Sir that you do not judge by the actions of overzealous and exuberant individual.
We are here to pledge our loyalty and support as you assume the mantle of leadership in these difficult times and circumstances. We will work with you to deliver on your promise of change, and you fight against corruption and insecurity which have become challenges to our collective future.
Cross River State has been a major political ally of the North. It this alliance that produced great Cross Riverians like Dr. Okoi Arikpo, Dr. Joseph Wayas, Chief Tony Ani, Dr. Emmanuel Nsan,Chief I.I Murphy among others. We need to strengthen and nurture this mutually beneficial leadership.
Cross River State is today a very vulnerable State, certainly one of the most vulnerable in the country today. We lost Bakassi ; our oil wells, we lost visibility in national politics and we are today one of the most highly indebted States , with very poor federal infrastructures ; the Katsina-Ala-Ogoja-Ikom-Calabar, Calabar-Itu-Ikot Ekpene, Ikom-Obudu-Cattle Ranch Roads are amongst the most deplorable in the country . As you assume office your Excellency, remember Cross River State.
Once again, we thank you and congratulate.
Victor Ndoma-Egba
Members of the Delegation
1. Dr. Mathias Offoboche, Deputy Governor, Old Cross River State
2. Etubom Anthony Ani, former Minister of Finance, Federal Republic of Nigeria
3. Chief (Dr) Emmanuel Nsan, Former Minister of Works, Health, Federal Republic of Nigeria
4. Chief Wilfred Oden Inah, Former Head of Service/Secretary to Government , Old Cross River State
5. Senator Prince Bassey Otu
6. Mrs Nelly Andem Ewa Rabana-Lawal (SAN)
7. Ambassador Sonny Abang
8. Barrister Mary Ekpere Ettah
9. Mr. Mark Ukpo
10. Ambassador Maurice Ekpang
11. Chief Okoi Obono-Obla
12. Barrister Utum Eteng
13. Chief Sam Bassey
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