The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate for the 2027 general election in Cross River State, Sir Arthur Jarvis Archibong, has accused the Governor Bassey Otu-led administration of receiving increased federal allocations and generating substantial internally generated revenue without delivering enough tangible development to Cross Riverians.
Archibong made the statement in a strongly worded video message in which he assessed the performance of the Otu administration and questioned the impact of government revenue on the lives of ordinary residents across the state.
“You receive quadrupled federal allocations and fat IGRs, yet you strangulate local government resources,” Archibong said, while criticising what he described as poor financial management and weak grassroots development.
The PDP candidate argued that increased revenue should be reflected in better roads, electricity, potable water, healthcare, education, job creation and other basic amenities across the state.
According to him, Cross Riverians are not interested in hearing how much money government receives if such resources do not translate into visible improvements in their communities.
Archibong said the state has continued to experience hardship and underdevelopment despite what he described as a significant increase in federal allocations and internally generated revenue.
He questioned what he described as the disconnect between the resources available to government and the living conditions of ordinary Cross Riverians, particularly in rural communities.
The PDP candidate also criticised the condition of several communities that, according to him, remain without reliable electricity, good roads and other basic infrastructure.
He specifically mentioned Obanliku and other parts of the state, arguing that residents should not continue to wait for basic development after years of government promises.
Archibong also linked the financial issue to the performance of government appointees, questioning what some appointees have achieved since taking office.
He accused the administration of filling Government House with appointees who, in his words, have not executed a single project or had projects approved for them.
The PDP candidate said political appointments should be measured by the impact they make rather than the number of people occupying government positions.
Archibong further criticised the condition of Watt and Marian markets in Calabar, saying the markets have become difficult to access and increasingly pose health concerns to residents.
He also took a swipe at the state government's handling of sanitation in Calabar, arguing that the city has lost the cleanliness for which it was once known.
According to him, the challenges confronting the state are evidence that Cross River needs a different approach to governance, one that prioritises transparency, accountability, job creation and tangible development.
Archibong maintained that political office is not simply a position to occupy but a trust given to leaders by the people.
He urged Cross Riverians to demand accountability from those entrusted with public resources and to assess political leaders based on their records ahead of the 2027 election.
The PDP candidate said the coming election would provide voters with an opportunity to decide whether the state should continue on its present path or embrace a new direction.
He insisted that Cross River does not need more political speeches and promises but practical solutions to the challenges facing its people.
“The way forward is not a speech,” Archibong said. “It is a functional hospital, schools that work. It is the roads that connect. It is electricity for every local government area from the North to the Central and to the South. It is jobs for our people and support for businesses.”
He concluded by declaring that Cross River needs “transformation, not chorchorchor,” urging the people to demand results from anyone seeking their mandate in 2027.
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