The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Cross River State for the 2027 election, Sir Arthur Jarvis Archibong, has accused Governor Bassey Otu’s administration of lacking a clear development plan for the state.
Archibong made the allegation during a press briefing in Calabar, where he criticised the governor’s leadership and what he described as the administration’s failure to deliver a major signature project almost four years into its tenure.
The PDP candidate questioned whether Governor Otu had any clear development vision before assuming office, arguing that the administration had largely concentrated on renovating structures inherited from previous governments instead of introducing projects that would define its own tenure.
According to him, the situation was particularly troubling given the increase in federal allocations to the state.
Archibong listed the refurbished library complex, Governor’s Office, completed Local Government building, renovation of the cultural centre and some road projects among the major projects associated with the administration. He, however, described some of the road projects as poorly executed and lacking adequate supervision.
He also accused Governor Otu of running a government disconnected from people outside Calabar, alleging that the governor spends considerable time in Abuja and abroad.
“Available, verifiable records show that there is no month the Governor spends more than ten (10) days in the state,” Archibong alleged, adding that the governor spends the remaining time either in Abuja or overseas.
The PDP candidate further accused the administration of neglecting rural communities and alleged that local governments had been “handcuffed and choked” by the state government.
He said his administration, if elected, would give local governments greater financial autonomy and ensure that development reaches communities across the three senatorial districts.
Archibong also promised that he would not operate what he described as an “absentee government”, saying he would regularly move across the state to identify development needs and implement projects that directly affect the people.
He maintained that Cross River needed a government with a clear development agenda, greater grassroots presence and a stronger focus on poverty reduction and wealth creation.
The allegations form part of the PDP candidate’s growing criticism of the Otu administration as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 Cross River governorship election.
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