(ICJ) on the Bakassi Peninsula, President Muhammadu Buhari said on
Wednesday in Yaoundé, the capital of Cameroon.
President Buhari said his administration would ensure the faithful
implementation of the Green Tree Agreement, which regulates the
ceding of Bakassi to Cameroon.
Mr. Buhari spoke at an interactive session with Nigerians living in
Cameroon during his two-day working and friendly visit to the
country, a statement by Femi Adesina, the president’s spokesperson,
said.
“Since Nigeria allowed the case to go to court (ICJ), and we lost, we
have to abide by it, ” the President said in response to a question
from a Nigerian on the issue.
Nigeria had on October 9, 2012, finally conceded the disputed Bakassi
Peninsula to Cameroon in line with the judgment of the International
Court of Justice awarding the area to the Central African country.
But even that did not put paid to speculations speculations that
Aftica’s most populous country might seek a review of the ruling.
The then Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice,
Mohammed Adoke, said in a statement at the time that the committee
constituted by government and a firm of international lawyers
retained by government came to the conclusion that “an application
for a review is virtually bound to fail“ and that “a failed application
will be diplomatically damaging to Nigeria”.
“In view of the foregoing, the Federal Government is of the informed
view that with less than two days to the period when the revision will
be statute barred (9th October, 2012), it would be impossible for
Nigeria to satisfy the requirements of Articles 61(1) -(5) of the ICJ
Statute,” Mr. Adoke said in the statement.
“Government has therefore decided that it will not be in the national
interest to apply for revision of the 2002 ICJ Judgment in respect of
the Land and Maritime Boundary between Cameroon and Nigeria.”
President Buhari’s comment has now dampened expectations by some
Nigerians that subsequent Nigerian administrations might again try to
wrestle the oil-rich peninsula from Cameroon.
On the plight of some 40,000 Nigerian refugees in Cameroon, who
were
forced to flee their homes because of Boko Haram terrorists, the
President said the Federal government would ensure their safe return
and rehabilitation in the shortest possible time.
“We also have about 1.5 million Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in
Nigeria and we have a programme of rehabilitation and reintegration
into the society for them, which involves providing shelter and
schools to the displaced persons.’’
President Buhari, who is on his maiden visit to the country after his
inauguration on May 29, said his administration had yet to articulate a
foreign policy for Nigeria beyond what was captured in the All
Progressives Congress (APC) party’s manifesto.
“However we will make our embassies more efficient and improve
our relations with other countries,’’ he said.
The President urged Nigerians in Diaspora to be law abiding in their
host countries and told representatives of the over 4 million Nigerians
living in Cameroon to continue to live in peace and harmony with
Cameroonians.
Responding to a question on the voting rights for Nigerians in
Diaspora, the President promised that his administration would revisit
the issue, which would require legislation from the National
Assembly.
Later in a prepared text read to the Nigerian community, the
President pledged to do everything possible toward bringing positive
change to Nigeria.
“Despite the numerous challenges confronting us, the future of our
country is bright.
“You all know very well that your fellow Nigerians are resilient,
hardworking and patriotic.
“These qualities have always seen us through our most difficult
national challenges and they will do so now.’’
On the fight against Boko Haram, the President assured Nigerians that
the current security challenges are not insurmountable.
He said Nigeria was working with all her neighbours, including
Cameroon, to fight and stand firmly against all forms of terror and
trans-border crimes.
He appealed for patience and vigilance l from Nigerians to ensure that
youths are not lured into joining “misguided groups.’’
“We are determined to end this callousness against our innocent
citizens.
“The defence of the territorial integrity of Nigeria and the protection
of lives and properties of Nigerians and all those who live in the
country are out top priorities.
“We shall explore all reasonable options to enable us to bring this
rebellion to an end,” he vowed.
President Buhari will depart Cameroon for Abuja on Thursday after
addressing a joint press conference in Yaounde with his host,
President Paul Biya.
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