What started as a social media rant over the terrible state of the Agbokim Waterfall Road has now grown into a major political controversy in Cross River State, after MC Okrika openly called out Senator John Owan-Enoh in a viral video that has sparked widespread reactions online.
The criticism, which has continued to generate intense reactions online and across political circles in the state, was directed at Senator John Owan-Enoh, who is currently serving as Minister of State for Industry under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In a now-viral video recorded along the badly damaged Mankono axis leading to Agbokim, MC Okrika openly questioned Senator Owan-Enoh’s long years in government and the condition of the road leading to his own village.
The visibly angry commentator described the road as a complete embarrassment, pointing at deep muddy sections, stranded vehicles and the daily suffering faced by commuters, residents, traders and commercial motorcyclists who rely on the route.
According to him, Senator Owan-Enoh has spent over two decades occupying powerful political positions without being able to provide a functional road for his people.
MC Okrika stated that the minister served four years in the State House of Assembly, 12 years in the House of Representatives, a term in the Senate and is now a serving minister in the federal cabinet.
He further argued that with such a long political career and influence in government, there should be no justification for the continued neglect of the Agbokim Waterfall Road.
The commentator also alleged that Owan-Enoh once chaired the powerful Appropriation Committee and currently controls the contract handling the road project.
He accused the minister of allegedly prioritizing empowerment programmes and political activities while the people back home continue to suffer from poor infrastructure.
“You empower people with billions but your own community has no road,” MC Okrika said in the video while criticizing the condition of the area.
He went further to describe the situation as evidence that the minister does not genuinely have the interest of his people at heart.
The social commentator also made a strong political statement, declaring that Senator Owan-Enoh would never become Governor of Cross River State in 2031.
According to him, a politician who could not provide a good road to his own village after more than 20 years in government should not aspire to occupy the highest office in the state.
The video quickly spread across social media platforms, drawing mixed reactions from residents and political observers.
While many residents agreed that the road has become almost impassable and deserves urgent attention, others argued that the issue goes beyond one individual and reflects wider infrastructural failures in the region.
The road leading to Agbokim Waterfalls has for years remained a major concern for residents, transporters and business owners.
During the rainy season especially, large sections of the road become heavily flooded and muddy, making movement extremely difficult.
Commercial drivers and motorcyclists are often forced to spend hours navigating failed portions of the road, while residents lament the economic hardship and rising transportation costs caused by the situation.
The poor state of the road has also affected tourism activities around Agbokim Waterfalls, one of Cross River State’s popular tourist destinations.
Reacting to the growing criticism, Senator John Owan-Enoh released a lengthy press statement on May 27, strongly denying allegations made against him by MC Okrika.
The minister described claims that he owns the Agbokim Waterfall Road contract as “false, malicious and defamatory.”
He also denied allegations that he deliberately avoided the road during a recent visit to his community.
According to Owan-Enoh, the road project has remained under the supervision of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for several years.
He explained that the original reconstruction contract was reportedly awarded around 2009 to JAMEON Nigeria Ltd, a company he claimed raised concerns from the very beginning.
The minister stated that he and former Senate Leader Victor Ndoma-Egba jointly protested the award of the contract due to doubts about the company’s competence and experience.
According to him, despite those concerns, the contract proceeded and later suffered from poor execution and extremely slow progress.
Owan-Enoh maintained that he repeatedly pressured the NDDC, supervising ministry and even the Presidency for the failed contract to be revoked and reassigned to more capable contractors.
He said the contract was eventually revoked in late 2024 before being re-awarded in four different lots to FaithPlant and Rhema for emergency construction works.
The minister disclosed that the contractors formally took over the road project in January 2025 and initially moved quickly before progress later slowed down due to funding challenges.
While admitting that the road remains in a terrible condition, Owan-Enoh insisted that he has continued engaging the leadership of the NDDC and other relevant authorities to ensure that work resumes fully and the project is completed.
He also accused MC Okrika of weaponizing the suffering of the people for political attacks and social media relevance.
According to the minister, his commitment to the welfare and development of his people remains unwavering despite the criticisms and political attacks against him.
The controversy has since sparked fresh conversations across Cross River State about leadership accountability, abandoned projects and the condition of rural infrastructure across many communities in the state.
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