Fact-Checking Oshiomhole’s Claim on Cross River’s Oil Status
Official records contradict Senator Oshiomhole's assertion regarding Cross River's oil-producing status and revenue.
1Controversial Rally Statement
Senator Adams Oshiomhole claimed at an APC rally in Calabar on 2 November that President Bola Tinubu’s administration successfully secured oil-producing status for Cross River State. He suggested this structural change would permanently increase the state's revenue, aiming to mobilize support for the President's 2027 re-election bid among local voters.
2Official Records Contradict Claim
Official government documentation, including federal revenue allocation reports and gazetted lists of littoral host communities, directly contradicts the senator's assertion. The Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission explicitly rejected the claim, confirming that Cross River remains ineligible for the 13 per cent derivation fund allocated to oil-producing states.
3Revenue Allocation Data Analysis
A review of Federation Account Allocation Committee reports from May 2023 to August 2026 shows Cross River is absent from the list of derivation fund beneficiaries. While eleven states, including Akwa Ibom and Delta, receive these specific funds, Cross River only receives standard statutory allocations, confirming its non-oil-producing status.
4Constitutional and Legal Framework
Section 162(2) of the 1999 Constitution mandates that 13 per cent of revenue from natural resources be allocated to the producing state. This entitlement requires rigorous technical and administrative verification processes. Political announcements cannot substitute for these legal requirements, as revenue status is determined by established fiscal and boundary frameworks.
5Gazette Excludes Coastal Communities
A March 2024 federal gazette, produced by the National Boundary Commission, identifies littoral host communities eligible for development trusts under the Petroleum Industry Act. The document lists communities in five states, but notably excludes Cross River. This official record further undermines the claim that the state has regained its littoral status.
6Historical Context of Dispute
The state's status changed significantly following the 2002 International Court of Justice judgment, which awarded the Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon. This transfer affected the state's maritime boundary and its previous entitlement to offshore oil revenue. Consequently, the state lost the geographical basis required to claim status as a littoral entity.
7Supreme Court Ruling Precedent
In a 2012 judgment, the Supreme Court dismissed Cross River's claim to 76 offshore oil wells. Justice Olufunlola Adekeye held that the wells were located within another state's maritime territory. This ruling reinforced a 2005 decision, establishing a clear legal precedent that the state currently lacks the necessary maritime territory for status.
8Inter-Agency Technical Committee Role
On 17 September 2026, the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission inaugurated a reconstituted Inter-Agency Technical Committee. This body is tasked with verifying disputed and newly drilled oil wells from 2017 to date. The commission aims to ensure fiscal transparency and institutional integrity by relying strictly on approved maps and coordinates.
9Verification Process Challenges
RMAFC Chairman Mohammed Shehu announced that the commission discarded previous draft reports due to numerous complaints from various states. The new committee must now re-verify coordinates and conduct physical inspections of affected wells. This ongoing technical exercise remains the only legitimate pathway for any state to potentially alter its revenue status.
10Political vs. Technical Reality
The gap between political rhetoric and fiscal reality highlights the sensitivity of revenue allocation in Nigeria. While politicians may use the promise of increased revenue to secure electoral support, the actual distribution of funds is governed by strict constitutional provisions and verified boundary data that currently do not support the claim.
11Impact on Fiscal Transparency
The controversy underscores the importance of the Petroleum Industry Act and the role of the National Boundary Commission in defining host communities. By maintaining rigorous standards for gazetting, the government attempts to prevent arbitrary claims. Accurate mapping remains essential to ensure that derivation funds are distributed only to legally qualified states.
12Future Outlook for Status
Cross River continues to pursue its campaign to reclaim oil-producing status through ongoing verification efforts. However, until the Inter-Agency Technical Committee completes its work and provides evidence that meets constitutional requirements, the state remains outside the derivation fund framework. The situation serves as a reminder of the complexity of resource-based politics.