By joshua Arthur Jarvis Knows He Can’t Become Cross River Governor, Says Barrister Akiba
The Special Adviser (SA) to the Governor of Cross River State, Senator (Prince) Bassey Edet Otu on General Duties, Barrister Ekpenyong Akiba, has described the guber candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Sir Arthur Jarvis Archibong, as a content creator pretending to be in the 2027 governorship contest.
Barrister Akiba, in an interview, said the PDP candidate knows he does not have what it takes to be a governor and asserted there was no way he could win the governorship race against Governor Otu, who has made significant impact on the lives of Cross Riverians even before taking over the affairs of the state in 2023.
Akiba, a talented and outspoken lawyer, a grassroots mobilizer, and a prominent voice in the Prince Otu-led government, wondered how a man who had never held an appointed or elected position of authority, nor possessed a single vestige of political experience, could come from nowhere to aspire to be the governor of a state.
His words: “We know Donald Duke, an internationally experienced lawyer, served as Commissioner for Finance before becoming Cross River Governor. Liyel Imoke, a seasoned lawyer, was a Presidential Adviser, Senator, and Minister of the Federal Republic. And Ben Ayade, an erudite professor, was also a Senator of the Federal Republic.
“Prince Otu, a seasoned banker who equally worked in the petroleum industry, contested and won election into the House of Reps in 2023, and was re-elected in 2007. He was elevated to the Senate in 2011 due to his impressive outing in the Green Chamber. As a result of his valuable representation, a lot of people became car owners, business owners, landlords and many got job opportunities.
“Prince Otu was a parliamentarian with great capacity. He was Chairman Senate Committee on Finance. That was no mean feat. He was also Chairman Senate Committee on Banking and other Financial Institutions. The records are there. Prince Otu became governor by popular demand. He has remained remarkably consistent in service delivery, demonstrating sincerity and commitment in leadership. He is a man who has proved that not all politicians are deceitful; he keeps to his promises. The people affectionately christened him Sweet Prince, a title that has naturally metamorphosed into the Sweetest Prince. His name has become synonymous with human capital development and empowerment – and the records are there to prove it.
“Arthur Jarvis, what experience and qualifications do you have to offer leadership in Cross River State? You are merely telling us stories on Facebook. Do you think governorship is about content creation? Governing a state is not child’s play. Governorship is a serious business that requires a deep grasp of policy formulation. You must be equipped with a profound vision, a clear mission statement, a comprehensive manifesto, and a thorough understanding of what governance truly entails.”
The SA General Duties continued: “You keep saying this government has failed. How can you call an administration that came to recover everything we lost for many years, a failure? This is a government that restored security to Akpabuyo and Bakassi, ensuring safety even for your business – the school you own.
“How can anyone claim that a government which has left no stone unturned in sustaining democratic gains has failed? In fulfillment of his campaign promises, Prince Otu has taken over and revitalized the programs and projects he inherited. Whether they were initiated under Donald Duke, Liyel Imoke, or Ben Ayade, he is actively sustaining them.
“Look at the Obudu Cattle Ranch, the Marina Resort, the Calabar International Conference Centre, the Bakassi Deep Seaport, and the Obudu Cargo Airport. These are just a few of the massive projects from previous administrations that have been given adequate attention by the current administration. Today, some of these projects are at 90 percent completion, while others are totally completed. Clearly, Prince Otu has shown purposeful leadership and governed Cross River State with the fear of God. He remains a humane leader, dedicated to putting smiles on the faces of his people.
“Arthur Jarvis, what exactly are you coming to deliver differently? Are you saying you are not happy with the new roads being constructed across the state? Are you displeased with His Excellency’s resuscitation of abandoned, decayed, and dilapidated infrastructure?
“Are you not happy with the revitalization of the Cultural Centre, the remodeled Chronicle Complex of the Cross River State Newspaper Corporation, the upgraded State Library, the modernized Governor’s Office, and the new Cross River State Local Government Service Commission building? Are you not happy with the expansion and revamping of our primary and secondary healthcare infrastructure?
“Are you blind to the historic feat of reclaiming ownership of the Tinapa Resort from AMCON? Or are you simply unhappy with the governor’s aggressive push toward recovering our lost oil wells – an effort that is already yielding fruitful results? What about the educational intervention policy under which the government provides free tuition for students in public primary and secondary schools and covers their WAEC examination fees, thereby reducing the financial burden on parents?
Akiba added: “Arthur Jarvis, let it be clear: no amount of negative social media content targeted at Prince Otu can sway Cross Riverians. The people are deeply satisfied with his stellar performance and are fully resolved to extend his mandate to a second term. Governor Otu’s re-election is sacrosanct and divinely ordained. Your ongoing investment in empty propaganda is a futile exercise that won’t change anything.
“Has he forgotten how he betrayed Cross River South? In 2023, when power was due to return to our zone under the rotational governorship arrangement that has maintained peace in the state since 1999, he actively fought against it. By supporting the Central senatorial district over the South, he turned his back on his own people. So, on what basis does he think Cross Riverians will even listen to him now?”