"People's First Government" Is A Scam, Education Sector Exposes The Lie — Peterson

Social media commentator and activist Portrait Peterson has launched a blistering attack on the administration of Governor Bassey Otu, describing its widely promoted "People's First Government" slogan as misleading and disconnected from realities on the ground.

In a video commentary, Peterson mocked the slogan, saying every time he hears it he cannot help but laugh and wonder exactly which people the government is putting first.

According to him, the true condition of education in Cross River State tells a completely different story from the image being projected by government officials.

Peterson cited alleged complaints repeatedly linked to Commissioner for Education, Professor Stephen Odey, claiming the commissioner has on several occasions expressed frustration over delays in approvals and issues beyond his control. He argued that if reports of such complaints are accurate, they expose deeper problems within the administration and may partly explain why the education sector continues to struggle.

The activist questioned how a government that describes itself as "People's First" can preside over schools that remain in deplorable conditions across the state.

He lamented that in 2026, many public school pupils are still forced to learn in dilapidated classrooms, with broken infrastructure, leaking roofs and inadequate learning facilities. He further alleged that in some schools, children still sit on bare floors to receive lessons despite billions of naira flowing into the state through federal allocations and other revenue sources.

Peterson challenged residents to travel across local government areas, from Obanliku to Boki and down to Calabar, insisting that the condition of public schools exposes what he called the failure of the government's education policy.

He specifically referenced communities within Boki, including Yache, the hometown of the Commissioner for Education, arguing that even schools in the commissioner's own area reflect the broader neglect affecting public education in the state.

The commentator further questioned what legacy the current administration is building. According to him, former Governor Donald Duke is remembered for tourism, former Governor Liyel Imoke for rural transformation and governance reforms, while former Governor Ben Ayade is associated with industrialisation projects.

However, Peterson argued that many residents would struggle to identify any defining achievement of the current administration beyond its "People's First" slogan and the "Season of Sweetness" mantra.

He also drew attention to the ongoing crisis at the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS), where students have remained out of school due to prolonged industrial action.

According to him, the government's inability to quickly resolve the dispute is further evidence that education is not receiving the priority it deserves.

In one of his most controversial claims, Peterson alleged that while public schools continue to deteriorate and students remain out of classrooms, stories of property acquisitions by political figures continue to dominate conversations in Calabar.

He argued that the contrast between deteriorating educational infrastructure and reports of growing private wealth among political office holders raises serious questions about the administration's priorities.

"Look at the condition under which these children are expected to learn," Peterson said. "With all the money coming into the state, what a shame."

The comments have since generated debate online, with supporters of the government pointing to ongoing infrastructure projects across the state, while critics insist that the education sector remains one of the clearest tests of whether the administration's "People's First" promise is being fulfilled.