The 2027 governorship race in Cross River State is beginning to take a more heated turn as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Sir Arthur-Javis Archibong, has accepted Governor Bassey Otu’s challenge for a public debate.
Archibong, while speaking with journalists in Calabar, said he was ready to meet the governor at any time and venue chosen by Otu.
However, he gave one major condition: Governor Otu must personally attend the debate.
According to him, Cross Riverians deserve to hear directly from the politicians seeking their votes rather than listening to representatives or political appointees speaking on their behalf.
Archibong’s response followed a challenge issued by the state Commissioner for Information, Pastor Ekpenyong Cobham, who had called for a debate ahead of the 2027 election.
The PDP candidate said he would not engage Cobham in a political exchange because the commissioner would not be on the ballot in 2027.
“Pastor Cobham is my brother. But he is not on the ballot, so I will not join issues with him,” Archibong said.
He instead directed the challenge towards Governor Otu, saying the governor should personally defend his administration's record before Cross Riverians.
Archibong also criticised the Otu administration over its handling of recent crises in the state, including the landslide incidents and the fire at the SPAR Shopping Mall in Calabar.
He further questioned the administration's frequent foreign trips and Memoranda of Understanding, asking what tangible projects, jobs and economic opportunities had resulted from such engagements.
The development is already shaping up as one of the early political confrontations ahead of the 2027 governorship election, with Cross Riverians likely to watch closely to see whether the proposed debate will eventually hold.
For now, the challenge has moved beyond political statements, with Archibong publicly saying he is ready to face Otu — provided the governor comes personally.
The question now is simple: Will Governor Bassey Otu accept the challenge and face Archibong before Cross Riverians?
Post A Comment: