By Kelvin Obambon
Sir Arthur Jarvis Archibong, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Cross River State, has given a critical assessment of Governor Bassey Edet Otu’s administration, asserting that the contributions of non-indigenous residents have been the primary force keeping the state’s economy afloat.
Addressing a press conference on the “State of Cross River,” in Calabar on Thursday, the founder of Arthur Jarvis University broke a three-year public silence on the current administration, accusing the state government of economic neglect, widespread nepotism, and systemic disconnection from the populace.
Sir Archibong explained that commercial activity across the state relies heavily on non-native entrepreneurs and traders.
“If not for the non-indigenes in this state, our economy would have been dead. That’s the truth,” he stated. “Going to the markets, going to the shops, all non-indigenous.”
The governorship candidate argued that government policies have failed to generate sustainable economic opportunity for citizens, reducing public assistance to performative distractions.
“What government has done to us as a people is just translation – carrots,” he said, citing the distribution of used vehicles, minibuses, and tricycles (Keke) close to elections as electioneering ploys rather than genuine empowerment schemes. “They pile up those things and when it’s time for election, they bring them out and give to us, and eventually turn around again and collect those bikes from them (beneficiaries).”
During his wide-ranging critique of Governor Otu’s three-year tenure, Sir Archibong highlighted several core governance failures, including absentee leadership, concentration of governance in Calabar, lack of signature projects, nepotism and cult alliance, among others.
“This administration is near zero on the issue of empathy, passion and commitment to the real yearning and aspirations of the broad generality of the people of Cross River State. This is because the Governor is hardly in the state. Available, verifiable records show that there is no month the Governor spends more than ten (10) days in the state. Twenty days, at least, on a monthly basis, are spent either in Abuja and/or abroad with nothing whatsoever to show for this absence.
“This Governor runs a government focused only on the state capital.
Since assuming office three years ago, the Governor has confined governance only to his office in Calabar. For the limited periods he is available in the state, his visits outside the capital have been few, selective, and largely for convenience. No incident, no matter how much of an emergency it evokes, takes the Governor beyond Calabar. Calabar is not Cross River State; It is only the state capital, and the Governor is clearly the Governor of Cross River, and not the Governor of Calabar.
“The clearest proof of this administration’s lack of capacity is its failure to deliver any signature project in almost four years.
Instead, all focus has gone to the year-round renovation of structures inherited from past governments.
“As much as this act is commendable for the purpose of continuity, channeling all his strength into the renovation of past administrations’ projects, raises a fundamental question: was there any plan or vision for the state before the election? Or did he contest squarely on the grounds of claiming a fair share of our state resources? It is really strange to see a government with no signature projects and no plans whatsoever, and here we are, almost at the finish line of its tenure.
“What has become more worrisome is that local governments that are legally and structurally designed to reduce rural poverty have been practically handcuffed and choked by a state government that recklessly ambushes their funds on a permanent basis, even after the Supreme Court’s judgement on the independence of the local government and the stern warning to Governors by Mr President to implement the judgement for the autonomy of the Local Governments in Nigeria. Our local governments remain stagnated and completely unable to perform their constitutionally designated functions.
“One of the sore thumb of this administration is the obvious imbalance reflected in appointments, contracts, and general access to government privileges. In the absence of jobs, what little remains of our common patrimony appears to be allocated not to those who need or deserve it most, but to those with proximity to power. Furthermore, access now seems to be determined by cult affiliations and loyalty to individuals willing to carry out unlawful directives. Can this be considered a fair and equitable practice within the context of Cross River State, or any state for that matter?” he queried.
Archibong also pointed to the struggles of private investments in the state, referencing his experience establishing Arthur Jarvis University, the first private university in Cross River.
He contrastingly cited Rivers State’s backing of Pamo University, which received an initial ₦500 million grant and annual scholarship slots, noting that Arthur Jarvis University has received zero financial assistance, infrastructure support, or courtesy visits from the Cross River State Government.
“Our private sectors are not supported and are in fact suffocated with over-taxation,” Archibong declared.
Looking ahead to the gubernatorial contest, the PDP flag bearer declared that the upcoming election would mark “the people against them” rather than a routine party battle. He formally declared that he would serve strictly for four years to complete the tenure allocation agreed upon for the Cross River South senatorial district.
He vowed to remain inside the state to directly inspect projects and tour clans, wards, and local government areas, while unshackling local government administration to drive rural development. He promised to eliminate nepotism and prioritise sustainable wealth creation over political patronage.
“Cross River is a state founded on God,” Archibong stated. “I will create wealth to sustain our people, and I will serve and love all the people of Cross River State deeply as Christ leads me.”
