A member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Peter Akpanke, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to appoint a substantive minister from Cross River State, following the current shortfall in the state’s federal cabinet representation.
Speaking during an interaction with the Cross River State Journalists Forum, CROSSJOF, Akpanke, who represents Obanliku/Obudu/Bekwarra Federal Constituency, lamented that Cross River, once having two full ministers under the current administration, now barely has one.
He cited the suspension of Dr. Betta Edu, former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, and the redeployment of Senator John Owan-Enoh from Minister of Sports to Minister of State for Trade and Investment, as developments that have left the state underrepresented.
“When we came on board, the President was magnanimous to us. We had two substantive ministers. Now, within two years, we are down to none in full capacity. We are appealing to Mr. President to consider appointing a Cross Riverian as a substantive minister again. It is a collective plea,” he said.
Akpanke also revisited long-standing grievances over the ceding of the Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon and the transfer of 76 oil wells from Cross River to Akwa Ibom State, describing both actions as grave injustices that have stunted the state’s development.
“We are a small state trying to survive. Losing Bakassi and then 76 oil wells was a double tragedy. How are we expected to grow? Nigeria must revisit and renegotiate this matter,” he said.
He expressed full support for ongoing efforts by Governor Bassey Edet Otu and the National Assembly to seek redress, insisting that no law is absolute and judicial processes allow for review.
“The law is not static. The Supreme Court has reversed itself before on constitutional grounds. We believe that with the right legal steps, justice can still be served,” Akpanke added.
He also urged the International Court of Justice, ICJ, to reconsider its decision on Bakassi, noting the adverse impact it has had on the people of Cross River and Nigeria at large.
“We’re loyal and patriotic Nigerians. It’s unfair that we are being punished simply because we come from a minority state. The ICJ should revisit the issue in the interest of fairness,” he said.
Speaking on his achievements over the last two years in the National Assembly, Akpanke listed several motions, bills, and constituency projects that he said have brought tangible benefits to his constituents.
These include motions on the rehabilitation of the Obudu Dam, addressing frequent kidnappings in the University of Calabar staff quarters, and opposition to further ceding of territory in Boki and Obanliku LGAs to Cameroon. He also sponsored a bill for the establishment of the Federal University of Agriculture, Bendi.
On infrastructure, Akpanke noted ongoing school projects, road construction, and the rehabilitation of health centres in communities across his constituency—including Utanga, Ketting, Beten, Iye, Ububa, Opepa, Begiaba, Utugwan, and Kubung Bette.
“Education is the foundation of any society. That’s why we’ve made significant investments in that area. Without education, we cannot move forward,” he stressed.
Akpanke expressed satisfaction with Governor Bassey Otu’s performance so far, applauding his developmental strides in just two years and urging all stakeholders to rally behind the governor for continued progress in the state.
He also addressed ongoing discussions on state creation, insisting that Ogoja—being one of Nigeria’s oldest provinces—deserves recognition.
“If new states are to be created, Ogoja must not be left out. I urge Cross Riverians to ignore the fake list circulating online claiming otherwise,” he said.
