Ukorebi Esien | August 15, 2026
CALABAR — The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Cross River State, Sir Arthur Javis Archibong, has accused the administration of Governor Bassey Edet Otu of kworsening poverty across the state, particularly in rural communities.
Archibong made the allegation on Thursday, August 13, 2026, during a press conference at the Ernest Etim Bassey Press Center, Calabar in which he gave his assessment of the Otu administration, less than a year to the end of its current four-year tenure.
The PDP candidate said the administration had failed to implement programmes capable of addressing rural poverty, arguing that the situation had further weakened the capacity of local governments to improve the living conditions of residents.
“This government deliberately and effectively encourages and promotes deep-rooted rural poverty,” Archibong alleged.
He said the absence of what he described as clear government programmes targeted at rural poverty had left communities struggling with inadequate infrastructure and limited economic opportunities.
According to him, the situation had affected rural electrification, feeder roads for farmers, local businesses and community health centres, thereby worsening the quality of life of people outside the state capital.
Archibong also linked the situation to the financial condition of local governments, alleging that they had been “practically handcuffed and choked” and unable to perform their constitutionally designated functions.
He argued that the situation persisted despite the Supreme Court judgment on local government autonomy and calls for the implementation of financial autonomy for the third tier of government.
The PDP candidate said the consequences were particularly severe for rural residents who depend on local government structures for basic services.
He accused the administration of suppressing the hopes of citizens while claiming to put the people first.
Archibong's criticism formed part of a broader indictment of the Otu administration, which he accused of being disconnected from the people and overly concentrated in Calabar.
“Calabar is not Cross River State; it is only the state capital, and the Governor is clearly the Governor of Cross River, and not the Governor of Calabar,” he said.
He alleged that Central and Northern Cross River had been neglected, arguing that the governor's limited visits outside Calabar had prevented him from fully understanding the challenges confronting communities across the state.
Archibong also criticised the administration for what he described as a lack of signature projects, alleging that almost four years into the administration, there was little to demonstrate a new development vision for the state.
“The clearest proof of this administration's lack of capacity is its failure to deliver any signature project in almost four years,” he said.
He acknowledged the renovation of some projects inherited from previous administrations but questioned whether the government had entered office with a clear development plan.
The PDP candidate further compared Cross River's development with neighbouring Akwa Ibom, Abia and Enugu states, claiming that while those states were developing infrastructure capable of transforming their economies, Cross River was being left behind.
“All these are happening at a time when federal allocation to the state has at least quadrupled,” he said, arguing that the situation demonstrated the extent to which the state had slipped into stagnation.
Archibong promised that if elected governor in 2027, his administration would prioritise grassroots development and restore financial autonomy to local governments.
He pledged to ensure that every senatorial district, local government and ethnic group was included in the state's development agenda.
“To ensure development gets to the grassroots, we will unshackle our Local governments and allow them to enjoy their financial autonomy to facilitate proper development of our rural communities,” he said.
He also promised to make sustainable wealth creation the focus of his administration and said all Cross Riverians, irrespective of political affiliation, would receive equal treatment.
The PDP candidate's allegations could not be independently verified from the material available during the briefing. The Cross River State Government is yet to respond to these allegatuins as press time.
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