Former Governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke has expressed optimism that the ceding of the state's 76 oil wells to neighboring Akwa Ibom state can be remedied as the decision was purely political.
He also described the ceding of Bakassi as “an international conspiracy,” and regretted that what was supposed to be done during the period was not done by the country.
He made the remark in Calabar during the presentation of a book, ‘Cross River State at 50: The People and Events that Shaped it.’
“It was during my time that we got the 76 oil wells that were lost. That was a painful thing for all of us. I still think it should be remedied.
“Today, Akwa Ibom State is the largest oil-producing state in Nigeria. It was a political decision. I think the political decision that gave them the oil should be also used to give us back the 76 oil wells.”
He debunked allegations that he ceded Bakassi to Cameroon, stressing that he did everything to reverse the ceding to no avail.
Punch reports that the book was written by an elder statesman, Ekpe Esien Ita, who also used the occasion to celebrate his 70th birthday.
