Niger Delta
A’Ibom, C’River Renew Offshore Oil Wells Dispute
Nigeria’s long-running dispute over offshore oil wells between Umo Eno’s Akwa Ibom State and Bassey Otu’s Cross River State has resurfaced, reviving questions about maritime boundaries, revenue derivation and the legal limits of administrative review in the country’s oil-dependent federation.
At the heart of the renewed tensions are reports suggesting that dozens of oil wells, often cited as about 76, are subject to reconsideration by federal institutions responsible for revenue allocation.
The claims have sparked political reactions in both states, each framing the issue through different historical, legal and economic lenses.
For Akwa Ibom State, the matter is a largely settled law. Governor of the State, Umo Eno, has insisted that two rulings of the Supreme Court of Nigeria already established the state’s ownership of the offshore wells and that no administrative process can reverse those decisions.
“There are two Supreme Court judgments that give Akwa Ibom State the right to those oil wells,” Eno told newsmen. “We are not sharing maritime boundaries with Cross River State but with the Republic of Cameroun, and the Nigerian Supreme Court has said so twice.”
He urged residents to remain calm, dismissing speculation about any transfer of oil wells as politically motivated.
“There is no cause for alarm. The people on the other side may cook up any story they want; raise propaganda, but this propaganda has no effect in the face of the two Supreme Court decisions establishing our ownership of the oil wells,” he said.
The governor also expressed confidence that the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu would respect the judicial rulings.
“I believe in the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; I believe that the rule of law will be respected,” he said. “We cannot throw away Supreme Court decisions twice on this particular matter.”
The dispute traces its roots to the geopolitical reshaping of Nigeria’s coastal boundaries following the 2002 ruling of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) that ceded the Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon.
Before that decision, Cross River State was considered a littoral state, one with access to the sea, and therefore entitled to offshore oil derivation revenue.
But in 2012, Nigeria’s Supreme Court ruled that after Bakassi’s cession, Cross River State no longer possessed a maritime boundary and therefore ceased to qualify as a littoral state for offshore derivation purposes.
That decision effectively transferred control of the offshore oil wells to neighbouring Akwa Ibom State.
The 2012 Supreme Court judgment in Attorney?General of Cross River State v. Attorney?General of the Federation (Suit No. SC.175/2005, delivered July 10, 2012) addressed whether Cross River still qualified as a littoral state after the loss of the Bakassi Peninsula following the ICJ ruling.
One of the key passages often cited from the judgment explains the Court’s position on Cross River’s maritime status.
The Supreme Court held in substance that: “With the cession of the Bakassi Peninsula to the Republic of Cameroon pursuant to the judgment of the International Court of Justice, Cross River State no longer has a seaward boundary and consequently ceases to be a littoral state for the purpose of entitlement to derivation from offshore oil wells.”
This reasoning formed the basis of the Court’s decision to strike out Cross River’s claim seeking entitlement to offshore oil derivation, since only littoral states with a coastline adjoining the sea can benefit from offshore derivation under Nigeria’s constitutional framework.
The ruling was linked to the earlier international decision in the Land and Maritime Boundary between Cameroon and Nigeria, which transferred sovereignty over the Bakassi Peninsula from Nigeria to Cameroon.
Because Bakassi previously provided Cross River’s direct access to the sea, the Supreme Court concluded that once it was ceded, the state lost the maritime frontage required to claim offshore oil wells.
Akwa Ibom’s Attorney-General, Uko Udom, reiterated that position during a media briefing, saying the legal framework remains unchanged.
“No oil well has been ceded. No Supreme Court judgment has been overturned. No constitutional provision has been amended,” Udom said.
He explained that recent claims stemmed from a misinterpretation of a draft report submitted by a federal inter-agency committee to the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission.
“The commission clarified that what it received is a draft report, not a decision or approved recommendation,” he said. “The circulating claim is speculative and not reflective of any final position.”
Udom added that under Nigeria’s constitution, Supreme Court judgments are final.
“Under Section 235 of the Constitution, the decisions of the Supreme Court are final and binding on all authorities and persons throughout the federation.
“No inter-agency committee, no technical panel, and no institutional process can alter or sit on appeal over a judgment of the Supreme Court.” he said.
While the Akwa Ibom State Governor said the issue has been primarily settled legally, Cross River’s political leadership has emphasised historical grievances and questions of fairness
The Governor, Bassey Otu, said the state’s sacrifices for national unity, particularly the loss of Bakassi, should not translate into permanent economic disadvantage.
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Deputy Chief of the Abidewari Compound of Ayakoro Community and former Leader of the Ogbia Local Government Legislative Assembly, Bayelsa State, Chief Sisomom Francis, has applauded the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, for winning the Chieftaincy election conducted to install a new paramount ruler of his home town, Ayakoro.
The ex-lawmaker also lauded Ogbuku for the numerous transformational projects and impacts he has continued to make in the NDDC, noting that the Niger Delta region has experienced tremendous development in both infrastructure and human capital development under his leadership.
Chief Francis spoke with newsmen shortly after the chieftaincy polls held at the weekend in the community, calling on stakeholders of the oil-rich Niger Delta region to consolidate their synergy with the Ogbuku-led management of the commission to attract more development to their communities.
Speaking on the NDDC’s boss’s relationship with community folks before and now the erstwhile lawmaker, who is also the Deputy Chief of the Abidewari Compound of the community, noted that Ogbuku does not discriminate against age and background in his relationship with members of the community.
“Ogbuku is Godsent to our community, Ayakoro, and the Niger Delta region. He knows the problems of his immediate community, and indeed knew the problems and challenges of the Niger Delta region.
“Since his inception in office as MD/CEO, the Niger Delta has seen a new and better NDDC. Ogbuku has done well and will continue to do well for the Niger Delta region.
“He has executed projects in every community of the Niger Delta, and that’s why the people are happy with him. We thank God for his election today as the substantive paramount ruler of the Ayakoro Community.
“Before now Ogbuku was the Deputy Paramount ruler of this community. But you’ll recall that we lost our Paramount ruler and so because of the MD’s special place in the life of this community, where he has since been serving meritoriously, today we’ve elected him as our substantive paramount ruler”, he said.
By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
Following the emergence of Delta State as the second-best governed state in Nigeria in the 2025 Governance Performance Index released by the Commonwealth Institute of Advanced and Professional Studies, the Executive Assistant to the State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, on Public Enlightenment (Projects and Policies), Mr. Olisa Ifeajika, has credited the success to prudent financial management, grassroots-focused development and effective project execution by the Governor.
Speaking during an interview on Niger Delta Today on ADBN Television, Ifeajika said the ranking was a reflection of the governor’s preparedness for leadership and his commitment to delivering tangible development across Delta State.
According to Ifeajika, Oborevwori’s emergence as a high-performing governor did not come as a surprise to many Deltans who had closely followed his political career, particularly his tenure as Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly.
He described the Governor as a “prepared leader” who came into office with a clear understanding of governance and the needs of the people, unlike politicians who only seek public office during election periods.
“Governor Sheriff Oborevwori was prepared for the job of governing Delta State. His leadership style is not accidental. It is a reflection of years of experience in public service and a deep understanding of the state’s developmental needs”, Ifeajika said.
The Governor’s aide recalled that Oborevwori served as Speaker of the State Assembly for six years, the longest-serving speaker in the state’s history, and was widely commended for his prudent management of public resources.
He noted that Oborevwori’s reputation for fiscal discipline was demonstrated when he reportedly returned over N500 million in unspent funds to the state treasury at the end of his tenure as Speaker.
Ifeajika said the same culture of accountability and prudent resource management now defines the governor’s administration, stressing that every project undertaken by the government is subjected to rigorous needs assessment to ensure value for money.
“Every kobo spent by the government must attract value. The Governor insists that public funds must be deployed for meaningful development. Projects are not awarded arbitrarily; they are based on the actual needs of communities”, he stated.
Highlighting the administration’s commitment to equitable development, Ifeajika disclosed that the Governor introduced a deliberate policy of allocating dedicated funds for infrastructure projects in each of the state’s 25 local government areas.
He explained that the administration earmarked N1 billion for projects in each local government area in its first budget in 2023, increased the allocation to N2 billion in the following year and further raised it to N4 billion in the current fiscal year.
According to him, the policy ensures that development is spread across the state rather than concentrated in a few locations.
“There is a deliberate intention to touch every local government almost simultaneously. Funds are already provided in the budget, and government only identifies the most pressing needs of the people before executing projects” he said.
The governor’s aide also emphasized that Oborevwori personally monitors projects across the state through regular inspection visits to ensure contractors deliver quality work and that projects are completed according to specifications.
Responding to concerns that the latest governance ranking may have been influenced by lobbying, Ifeajika dismissed such claims, insisting that the recognition was earned through measurable achievements.
He noted that the Governor had received several awards and recognitions from both public and private organisations within the last two years, describing the latest ranking as another independent validation of the administration’s performance.
“This cannot be dismissed as a fluke or something that was lobbied for. It reflects the reality on the ground in Delta State. The governor’s achievements are visible and have been acknowledged by different organisations”, he said.
Ifeajika further revealed that the administration had strengthened transparency in project execution by encouraging whistleblowing and public monitoring of government projects.
He expressed confidence that residents across the state would corroborate the positive assessment of the administration, maintaining that the impact of government projects and policies was evident in communities throughout Delta.
Delta State was ranked second in the 2025 Governance Performance Index with a score of 70 per cent, behind Kaduna State’s 73 per cent, and ahead of 34 other states in the federation.
The assessment evaluated governance outcomes, public service delivery, infrastructure development and the effectiveness of public administration across Nigeria’s 36 states.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in the South-South has elected a new Zonal Executive Committee, following a successful congress held on Wednesday in Asaba, the Delta State.
The congress, which drew top party leaders, including the Senate President, Governors, lawmakers, and delegates from across the region, was conducted through a consensus arrangement, reinforcing the party’s commitment to unity and internal cohesion.
Proceedings commenced with a motion for the dissolution of the outgoing Zonal Executive Committee, moved by the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor, and seconded by his Bayelsa State counterpart, Rt. Hon. Abraham Ingobere, and was unanimously adopted.
Subsequently, a motion adopting consensus as the mode of electing new officers was moved by Senator Essien Williams of Cross River State and seconded by Senator Aniekan Bassey of Akwa Ibom North East and was also unanimously adopted by all delegates.
At the end of the exercise, Chief Victor Giadom emerged as National Vice Chairman (South-South); Dr. Ita Udosen, Zonal Secretary; Barr. Neworld Safugha, Legal Adviser; Dr. Samuel Nwanosike, Publicity Secretary; Prince Urhoro Koyoyo, Youth Leader; Hon. Suobankuo Omoni, Women Leader; Hon. Prince Edward, Organising Secretary; and Prince Ayo Peter as representative of Persons with Disabilities.
President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, in his remarks, conveyed the goodwill of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and commended the South-South for its growing unity and political consolidation within the APC.
He noted that the region had witnessed remarkable transformation, moving from minimal APC presence to becoming a strong political bloc with increased alignment from governors and stakeholders.
Akpabio challenged party faithful to position the South-South as the highest vote-delivering region for the APC in the 2027 general elections, stressing that such a goal was both achievable and necessary.
Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, in his goodwill message, welcomed delegates to Asaba and described the congress as a demonstration of the party’s strength, unity, and readiness for future political engagements.
Oborevwori emphasized the need for sustained grassroots mobilization and urged party members to deepen internal cohesion, strengthen structures across all levels, and maintain strong connections with the people.
Chairman of the South-South Governors’ Forum and Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, also underscored the importance of unity, describing the adoption of consensus as a major step in reducing internal conflicts and fostering collective ownership within the party.
He noted that for the first time in recent political history, the South-South was speaking with one voice, adding that the full attendance of governors at the congress demonstrated their shared commitment to the region’s progress.
Governors Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom), Bassey Otu (Cross River), Monday Okpebholo (Edo), and Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers) in their separate remarks, spoke in the same vein, stressing the importance of the zone aligning with the Government at the centre.
Earlier in his welcome address, Chief Victor Giadom thanked party leaders and stakeholders for their support during his tenure and highlighted the progress made by the APC in the region, including electoral victories and increased political alignment.
In his acceptance speech, Giadom, who was relelected, expressed optimism that the party would continue to expand its influence ahead of the 2027 elections and position itself for agreater success.
The congress was also attended by members of the National and State Houses of Assembly, Ministers, other top government functionaries, party leaders and stakeholders from across the zone.
The event concluded with a renewed commitment by party leaders and members to strengthen unity, expand grassroots support, and consolidate the APC’s growing influence in the South-South region.