US-based Nigerians support Senate on Bakassi

By Our Reporter - 27.11.2007

A groundswell of support is building among Nigerians abroad, especially in the United States, for the decision of the Senate in rejecting former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s ceding Bakassi peninsula to Cameroun, Empowered Newswire has reported.

Indications emerged over the weekend that some US-based Nigerians might have been quietly lobbying the National Assembly about one year ago regarding the Bakassi handover.

This is just as information also emerged that a US government profile on the Bakassi situation dated June this year warned that French military interests are focused on the side of Cameroun even after the progressive implementation of the Green Tree Accord by Nigeria.

According to the US State Department background note on Cameroun, “French military advisers remain closely involved in preparing the Camerounian forces for deployment to the Bakassi Peninsula, where there is a contested border with Nigeria. The armed forces number approximately 28,000 personnel in ground, air, and naval forces, the majority being the army and naval ground forces.”

But at least two US-based Nigerian groups, Concerned Citizens For Bakassi and All Nigerian American Congress, are commending the Senate for the action, both describing former President Obasanjo’s action as unilateral and unconstitutional.