Dr Funsho Adesola describes the decision as hasty
Dr Funsho Adesola, the Head of International Relations Department, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, has described the ceding of Bakassi to Cameroon as hasty.
Adesola made the observation on Tuesday, saying the people had the right to agitate and the government must oblige.
“Nigerian government is aware that the people of the peninsular are Nigerians, the action of the then government to cede the peninsular to the Cameroun in my candid opinion was too hasty,” he said.
Adesola said that the decision was a function of the whims and caprices of the power that be at that time.
“In this part of the world, I mean the developing countries, so many things are personalised and there is no institutionalisation of policies,? he said. “Individuals are promoted over and above institutions, decisions are taken sometimes when they are not properly considered. The idiosyncrasy of leaders most times has had very dastard implications at some points on this nation, and one of it is the ceding of Bakassi to Cameroun.?
He said that the people of the peninsular were not giving the opportunity to make their choice through plebiscite either to go with Cameroun or remain with Nigeria.
“The government by fiat just ceded the peninsular to Cameroun without consulting the people concerned and that is why this agitation is coming at this time,” he stressed. “What is known to the legal community is that, the verdict of the court can be appealed, and on this issue of Bakassi, a review of the terms of agreement can be done in 10 years? time.
“So, Nigeria has the legitimate rights to make an appeal, the recent agitation in the peninsular shows that the verdict does not sit well with the people,” he said.
