Governor Godswill Akpabio

By Zacheaus Somorin

Consequent upon the decision of the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Godswill Akpabio, to negotiate and dialogue with his Cross River State counterpart, Liyel Imoke,  towards reconciling their differences over the protracted oil well disputes, the Bakassi Peoples General Assembly has hailed the move.

In a statement made available to THISDAY Sunday as signed by its National President,  Hon. Bassey Ita Edet, National Vice-President, Hon Effiong Edet Effiong and the Secretary-General,  Ndabu Eyo Nakanda, the group stated that such settlement would further strengthen the historical bond between the two states and put smiles on the faces of the affected people.

The statement read in part: “We the leaders of Bakassi under the aegis of Bakassi People’s Assembly would like to commend Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State for his offer of an olive branch to the Cross River State Governor over the disputed 76 oil wells which the Supreme Court ruled in Akwa Ibom’s favour’.

They pointed out that it was encouraging that Akpabio is not averse to holding a dialogue with his Cross River State counterpart towards exploring an amicable resolution to the problem that has put a strain on the relationship between the two states.

“We are convinced that this fresh window of opportunity should be embraced not only in the interest of peace but also towards strengthening the historical bond between both states.