C’River 2027: PDP guber candidate accepts Otu’s debate challenge

…Says poll not about money bags, but scorecard , performance

By Ike Uchechukwu, CALABAR

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Cross River, Sir Arthur Javis-Archibong, has accepted a challenge to engage Gov. Bassey Otu in an open debate ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

Archibong, who spoke with journalists in Calabar on Tuesday, said he was ready to participate in the debate at any time and venue chosen by the governor, provided Otu would attend personally.

His response followed a challenge issued by the state Commissioner for Information, Pst Ekpenyong Cobham.

“I am willing to honour the challenge to a debate, on one condition: that Governor Bassey Otu will be there in person.

“The people deserve to hear directly from those seeking to lead them, not from proxies,” he said.

Archibong said he would not engage in a verbal exchange with Cobham, describing the commissioner as his brother.

“Pastor Cobham is my brother. But he is not on the ballot, so I will not join issues with him,” he said.

The PDP candidate also defended Arthur Jarvis University (AJU), the private university he established in Akpabuyo Local Government Area, against recent criticisms.

Archibong said the institution was established to contribute to the development of Cross River and would not be distracted by what he described as false allegations.

“All sorts of things have been said about AJU. Funnily enough, the last I heard of bed bugs was in my childhood when we slept on straw beds,” he said.

He challenged those criticising the university to demonstrate their own contributions to the state, particularly through employment and business development.

“Before pointing fingers at AJU, they should first point to one business they own where they have employed at least 15 people from this state,” he said.

Archibong said attention should instead be directed at pressing challenges confronting the state, including environmental sanitation, drainage and emergency response.

“Instead of chasing imaginary bedbugs in Akpabuyo, they should come and see the real crisis in Watt Market.

“Go there today and see the filth, the stench, the blocked drainages, and traders selling beside refuse. That is the environmental emergency staring us in the face.

“Our firefighters have no diesel. Our fire trucks have no water. And when infernos like the one at SPAR Mall happened, we are left helpless.

“That is where government attention should be, not in spreading lies about a university that is trying to add value,” he said.

On scholarships, Archibong said supporting education had always been a personal commitment and should not be reduced to political propaganda.

“Scholarships are a personal act of service. I will not bring charity to the marketplace just to score cheap political points,” he said.

He urged Cobham to conduct proper research before making public statements, particularly by consulting residents of Akpabuyo, Bakassi and other communities who, he said, had benefited from his interventions over the years.

Archibong also criticised what he described as attacks on his character, urging the commissioner to uphold the values associated with the Christian faith.

“Barefaced lying is alien to the calling of a pastor. If he is truly a pastor and not self-acclaimed, then he should be wary of the God who sees and knows all things,” he said.

He added that the 2027 election should be determined by the electorate rather than money, intimidation or violence.

According to him, This election will not be won by attacking institutions that should be supported by government. Arthur Jarvis University is a thriving institution that employs our people and trains our children.

“Instead of support, it is being subjected to unprovoked attacks simply because of politics. That is not how you build a state.”

Archibong further criticised the Otu administration over what he described as the governor’s absence during moments of crisis, citing landslides and the recent fire incident at SPAR Shopping Mall in Calabar.

“When landslides claimed lives and destroyed properties, and when fire swept through our businesses like the recent SPAR Mall crisis, the presence of our governor is nowhere to be found,” he said.

He questioned the economic impact of the administration’s foreign investment trips and memoranda of understanding (MoUs), saying Cross Riverians were yet to see sufficient tangible outcomes.

“Government keeps going out for MoUs, but Cross Riverians are yet to see the dividends.

“After so many MoUs, show me how many have translated to successful projects that are addressing the pitiful situation of this state.

“Where are the factories? Where are the jobs? Where is the relief for the ordinary man? You cannot be absent at home in the name of chasing investors abroad, while the house is on fire and there is no water to put it out,” he said.

The PDP candidate expressed sympathy for traders, workers and families affected by the early Saturday fire at SPAR Shopping Mall.

“My heart bleeds for every trader, every young worker, and every family whose livelihood went up in flames that morning.

“As a businessman myself, I know the pain of watching years of sweat and sacrifice turn to ashes overnight,” he said.

Archibong promised that, if elected, his administration would strengthen emergency response and equip the state fire service with the necessary resources.

“Under my watch, we will never be caught unprepared again. Emergency response will be fast, equipped, and present.

“We will ensure our fire service has water, has diesel, and has the tools to protect lives and properties within the time of need. No Cross Riverian should ever have to face disaster alone,” he said.

Archibong said leadership was ultimately about presence, service and accountability.

“Cross River deserves a governor who will not govern from a distance or by proxy.

“Our people deserve leadership that shows up, listens, and delivers. That is the covenant I offer the people of Cross River in 2027.

“Let this contest be about ideas, about track records, and about who is ready to serve and nothing less,” he added.

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