Alleged Erosion of Nigeria’s Territorial Integrity: Coalition of Over 50 CSOs Raise Alarm, Demand Justice For Cross River
— Calls for Nullification of 2008 Map
— Gives Federal Government 14-Day Ultimatum
A coalition of over 50 civil society organisations under the umbrella of the Coalition for the Protection of Democracy in Nigeria (CPDN) has raised serious concerns over what it described as administrative treason and the gradual erosion of Nigeria’s territorial integrity, allegedly to the detriment of Cross River State.
Addressing a press briefing on Monday in Abuja, the Convener of the coalition, Dr Gabriel Nwambu, accused officials of the National Boundary Commission (NBC) of manipulating administrative and maritime boundaries in ways that undermine national sovereignty and economically marginalise Cross River State.
Reading from a statement titled “Administrative Treason and the Erosion of Nigeria’s Territorial Integrity — A Clarion Call for Justice for Cross River State,” Nwambu said the coalition was alerting Nigerians to what it considers a grave national security threat.
Alleged Manipulation of National Maps
According to CPDN, the 10th Edition of Nigeria’s Administrative Map, which aligns with the Oil Well Dichotomy Map of July 5, 2004, was allegedly altered five times between 2004 and 2008 without the knowledge or consent of Cross River State.
The coalition alleged that the alterations were carried out by vested interests in Akwa Ibom State in collaboration with senior NBC officials, resulting in what it termed a falsified 2008 Dichotomy Map.
Economic and Strategic Consequences
The coalition claimed the alleged distortions have had far-reaching consequences, including:
The diversion of over 76 oil wells from Cross River State to Akwa Ibom State.
The classification of the Calabar Geological Flank, historically said to host more than 1,000 oil wells, as having zero oil wells.
The effective blockade of the Calabar Basin’s maritime access, a route protected since the 1913 Anglo-German Agreement.
Risk of Territorial Loss to Cameroon
Beyond internal disputes, CPDN warned that the alleged boundary manipulation could lead to Nigeria losing approximately 780 hectares of territorial waters and at least 28 oil wells to the Republic of Cameroon, independent of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling on Bakassi.
The coalition described this scenario as a self-inflicted national loss driven by internal administrative fraud.
“Cross River Becoming the New Ogoni Land”
CPDN further warned that Cross River State risks becoming the “New Ogoni Land”—bearing the environmental burden of oil exploration such as spills and gas flaring, without receiving derivation funds or resources to address long-term ecological damage.
Demands to the President
The coalition called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently intervene by:
Ordering the DSS and EFCC to arrest and prosecute retired and serving NBC officials allegedly involved in the map alterations.
Nullifying the 2008 Dichotomy Map and reverting to the authentic 10th Edition Administrative Map recognising Cross River’s littoral status.
Reconstituting the RMAFC Inter-Agency Committee to ensure fairness and adequate representation for Cross River State.
Preventing any internal boundary demarcation that could result in the loss of Nigerian territory to Cameroon.
14-Day Ultimatum
In his concluding remarks, Nwambu declared that Nigeria’s boundaries are “not for sale” and insisted that the sovereignty of the country’s coordinates must be protected.
He announced that the coalition has given the Federal Government a 14-day ultimatum to address the issues raised, warning that failure to do so would trigger sustained civil actions aimed at reclaiming what it described as the stolen heritage of the Cross River people.
