Bakassi people protest exclusion in voter registration

The continued neglect and marginalisation of Bakassi returnees in Akwa Ibom State has taken a new dimension as it has also affected their socio-political well-being and their right to vote and be voted for. Now, in a dilemma as to whether they can exercise voting rights as Cameroonians or Nigerians remain a big question.

In a peaceful protest Tuesday at the Uruan Council Secretariat, Idu, Bakassi returnees numbering about 20, displayed placards with such inscriptions as, "Uruan Bakassi returnees may not vote come 2015 elections because no INEC registration centre, no polling stations in about 30 fishing villages. Please help", "INEC, please Uruan Bakassi returnees are Nigerians; give us our voting rights", and "We need compensation and proper resettlement", among others.

Addressing some newsmen, the coordinator for Uruan Bakassi returnees, Engr. Bassey Effiong, decried the ill-treatment they have been subjected to, and described it as an indication that they are not accepted as Nigerian citizens.

"When the Green Tree Agreement was implemented and single-handedly signed by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, the Cameroonians could not even wait for it to be clarified. They drove our people away with force, using arms.

"It was a Cross River representative, Florence Ita-Giwa, who said that we are not from Cross River State, hence we should be returned to Akwa Ibom.

"Since we returned to our camp at Government Technical College, Ikot Adaidem, nobody seems to give us attention. Now 2015 is at the corner and we are likely to be disenfranchised since we have no polling unit to take part in the electoral process," he said.