Bakassi: Obong of Calabar joins natives in solemn assembly

The Obong of Calabar, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu, joined the natives of Bakassi Local Government Area of Cross River State as they gathered at the Millennium Park in the state capital, Calabar, on Wednesday, for a solemn assembly.The assembly, which was organised by the Efik kingdom to coincide with the October 10 date when the window to appeal the International Court of Justice (ICJ) judgment elapsed, was attended by many prominent sons and daughters of Efik across five local government areas in the state.Youths in the assembly chanted and called for self determination. The Obong of Calabar, who was represented by the chairman of the Etuboms' Council (conclave of king makers), Edidem Bassey Oko Bassey Duke, noted that the Efik kingdom would not rest on its oars until the true owner of the area, which was administered by the forefathers of Efik people, was ascertained.He noted that the 1890s treaty on Bakassi was signed by the Obong of Calabar, adding that the Efiks had all agreed to come together in the struggle to reclaim their land from foreigners.He also acknowledged a proposal from Southern Cameroons to join forces with the Bakassi people to form an independent nation.The traditional ruler stated that the Efik nation would not allow its land to go and expressed optimism that the struggle would yield result.Many speakers at the assembly, declared that the battle to reclaim their ancestral home had just began, even as the Federal Government had foreclosed the review of the case.Also speaking, chairman of Bakassi Local Government Area, Dr Ekpo Ekpo Otu, likened the issue of Bakassi to truth, saying it could not be completely eliminated.'Bakassi is truth. Today, the truth is being buried, it will geminate and grow again,' he said.
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