C’River Governorship: PDP candidate accepts Otu debate challenge

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Cross River, Arthur Archibong, has accepted Gov. Bassey Otu’s challenge to an open debate. Archibong said he was ready to debate Otu at any time and venue the governor chose, provided Otu attended personally.

The candidate spoke with journalists in Calabar on Tuesday, responding to a challenge issued by the state Commissioner for Information, Ekpenyong Cobham. “I am willing to honour the challenge to a debate, on one condition: that Gov. 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 Cobham in a war of words, describing the commissioner as his brother and stressing he was not on the ballot. But he is not on the ballot, so I will not join issues with him,” he said.

Cobham had earlier challenged Archibong to publicly debate the Otu administration’s policies, programmes and performance ahead of the 2027 election. Archibong also defended Arthur Jarvis University (AJU), which he founded in Akpabuyo Local Government Area, against recent criticisms. He described the allegations against the institution as politically motivated, saying AJU was established to contribute to Cross River’s development.

He urged critics to focus instead on environmental sanitation, blocked drainages and emergency response, particularly the condition of Watt Market. He said: “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.” Archibong also alleged that inadequate resources were undermining emergency response, particularly the state fire service.

And when infernos like the one at SPAR Mall happened, we are left helpless,” he said. The PDP candidate expressed sympathy for traders, workers and families affected by the recent fire at SPAR Shopping Mall in Calabar. He promised that his administration, if elected, would strengthen emergency response and provide firefighters with water, diesel and essential equipment.