By Asuquo Cletus
The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in Cross River State, Venatius Ikem, has criticised the administration of Governor Bassey Otu, saying the governor has little to show for nearly four years in office.
Ikem spoke on Sunday in Calabar during the PDP governorship primary election where businessman and politician, Arthur Jarvis, emerged as the party’s candidate for the 2027 governorship election.
Addressing party delegates and supporters, Ikem questioned the achievements of the current administration, alleging that most of the projects credited to the government were insignificant.
“For four years, we all know that we don’t know why he is governor. For four years, the highest we have seen is that he has covered some potholes in Calabar,” Ikem said.
“The other one I hear is that he renovated the library on the highway. Apart from those projects on the highway, I’m yet to know what else he has done as governor,” he added.
The PDP chairman said the opposition party was confident of reclaiming power in the state in 2027, insisting that many members of the ruling All Progressives Congress were dissatisfied with the government.
According to him, several APC members and political appointees had privately expressed support for the PDP ahead of the next election.
“Every day, my phone is filled with APC people telling us they want to come back to their party,” he alleged.
Ikem urged PDP members to remain united and actively participate in the campaign to unseat the APC government in the state.
“Every party member moving forward is a member of the campaign committee. The state is waiting for us to make a difference,” he said.
Also speaking after emerging as the PDP governorship candidate, Jarvis accused the current administration of failing to prioritise the welfare of the people.
He alleged that governance in the state had been captured by a few individuals while the majority of residents continued to struggle.
“You can only count them on one hand, those who are benefiting from this government. Just three or four people, and it is a cartel,” Jarvis alleged.
The PDP primary election was attended by party leaders, delegates and supporters from across the state.
