Opinion: 76 Oil Wells and 2027 Politics

Opinion: 76 Oil Wells and 2027 Politics 

By Emmanuel Nicholas

The statement made by the Governor of Cross River State, His Excellency, Prince Bassey Otu, has ignited widespread controversy throughout the nation concerning the ownership of the 76 oil wells, which rightfully belong to Akwa Ibom State. Haec proprietas definitive confirmata est a Suprema Curia in sua sententia praeclara die 15 Iulii 2002 lata.

In the Supreme Court ruling delivered on July 15, 2002, the Court conclusively affirmed that the 76 oil wells in question are the rightful property of the Akwa Ibom State Government.

The judgment clarified the boundaries and ownership rights, thereby resolving any disputes regarding the control and revenue entitlements of these oil wells, and underscored the legal recognition of Akwa Ibom State’s jurisdiction over the resources within its territorial domain.

The recent declarations made by the Cross River’s Governor, wherein he professed to have held a private audience with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and claimed that the President assured him that the contentious issue would be revisited for a political resolution, have sparked widespread controversy and unfounded allegations.

It is imperative to underscore that the Nigerian 1999 Constitution explicitly provides that matters conclusively adjudicated by the Supreme Court are final and binding, thereby rendering any attempts to reopen or challenge such decisions not only futile but also unconstitutional.

The provision of the Nigerian Constitution that establishes the finality of the Supreme Court’s decisions and effectively prohibits revisiting matters already adjudicated by it is found in Section 235(1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

The section 235(1) of the 1999 Constitution states;
“The Supreme Court shall be the final court of record and shall have jurisdiction to hear and determine appeals from any other court of law in Nigeria, and its decisions on such appeals shall be final and binding on all persons and authorities within Nigeria.”

This constitutional provision clearly establishes that the Supreme Court’s rulings are conclusive and binding, thereby making any attempt to revisit or challenge such decisions illegal and unconstitutional. It ensures the finality of judicial decisions, preventing endless litigation or out of Court settlement illegal and safeguarding the rule of law in Nigeria.

Despite this clear constitutional mandate, numerous individuals have begun to level accusations against Governor Umo Eno, PhD, and the Senate President, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio (GCON), alleging a conspiracy to unlawfully cede some portion of the 76 oil wells to Cross River State.

These allegations have further escalated to claims that the APC-led government deliberately manipulated Governor Umo Eno into joining the party with the ulterior motive of coercing him into accepting a political compromise that would result in the relinquishment of part of the oil wells to Cross River State.

Such insinuations have rapidly evolved into potent political weapons wielded by certain Akwa Ibom politicians who intend to contest the 2027 elections against Governor Umo Eno.

These actors have strategically sponsored broadcast stations across the state to air programmes that encourage public call-ins, many of which have been exploited by citizens to malign and demonize both the Governor and the Senate President, accusing them of misconduct without substantive evidence.

Moreover, these politicians have transformed social media platforms into battlegrounds for disseminating these baseless rumors, often citing the statements of the Cross River State Governor to legitimize their claims. This orchestrated campaign has incited public agitation against the ruling party in Akwa Ibom State, thereby undermining social cohesion and political stability.

Despite the Akwa Ibom State Government, through the Commissioner of Information, Honourable (Elder) Aniekan Umanah, having unequivocally clarified that there exists no such meeting convened by the Federal Government of Nigeria aimed at brokering a political solution involving both Akwa Ibom and Cross River States over the contentious oil wells issue, a significant number of individuals persist in harbouring the belief that the government is deliberately concealing the genuine facts from its citizens.

To further solidify the veracity and legal grounding of this position, the Akwa Ibom State Government, represented by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, has formally issued a meticulously documented official legal notice (nuntius officialis legalis), thereby establishing an authoritative legal record.

This document emphatically asserts that revisiting the matter in question is not only devoid of moral justification but also stands in direct violation of the provisions enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution.

Nevertheless, those who continue to propagate these baseless rumours have inundated the front pages of certain local tabloids, brazenly proclaiming to the public that Governor Umo Eno has allegedly finalized plans to divert a substantial portion of the federation allocation meant for Akwa Ibom State to Cross River State , purportedly aiming to secure a larger monthly revenue share at the expense of Akwa Ibom State.

These fabrications are clearly orchestrated attempts to sow discord among the people of Akwa Ibom, turning them against their Governor and laying the groundwork for political blackmail in anticipation of the 2027 gubernatorial elections.

However, such deceitful stratagems are destined to fail utterly and fall flat, as the citizens of Akwa Ibom are discerning and resilient; they cannot be intimidated or misled by mere unfounded falsehoods.

The truth, backed by legal authority and transparent communication, will invariably prevail over these malicious fabrications, ensuring that the integrity of the government and the unity of the people remain intact.

Lastly, revisiting issues that have already been conclusively determined by the Supreme Court is not only an exercise in futility but also a direct contravention of the Nigerian Constitution.

The finality of Supreme Court rulings is a cornerstone of the rule of law and judicial authority in Nigeria, ensuring that legal disputes are resolved definitively to maintain order and prevent perpetual litigation.

Any endeavors aimed at circumventing or reopening these settled issues pose a significant threat to the integrity of the judicial system as well as the constitutional framework that upholds our nation’s governance.

Consequently, such attempts have been categorically and unequivocally repudiated by both Senator Godswill Akpabio (GCON) and Governor Umo Eno, PhD. It is therefore entirely unfounded and misleading to propagate claims suggesting that the Senate President of Nigeria and Governor Umo Eno have reached any clandestine agreements with President Tinubu to transfer control of the Akwa Ibom oil wells to Cross River State.

Such allegations are not only baseless but are clearly intended as instruments of political blackmail, designed to manipulate public perception and influence the political landscape in the lead-up to the 2027 elections.

This deliberate dissemination of falsehoods undermines democratic processes and seeks to destabilize the State’s political harmony for partisan gain.
Unfortunately, it has failed.