Cross River Government says Nigeria runs a system that is not fully federal. This is why working with the federal government is key for proper development.
The state’s Commissioner for Information, Ekpenyong Cobham, shared this during a press briefing on Wednesday in Calabar.
Mr Cobham was responding to recent comments from Alphonsus Eba, the deputy governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Cross River. Eba claimed that Governor Bassey Otu rarely stays in the state.
He accused the PDP leader of misunderstanding Nigeria’s political and administrative setup. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Mr Eba, who was a former APC chairman in Cross River, lost his position earlier this year due to claims of mismanagement and heavy-handedness before he joined the PDP.
The commissioner defended the governor’s travels, stating they are important for development. He said Mr Eba should focus on discussing government policies, programs, and real achievements instead of what he called basic political arguments.
He invited the opposition to a public debate. Cobham said the people of Cross River deserve meaningful discussions about governance, development, and the state’s performance.
In response to claims that the governor often travels to Abuja to negotiate against plans by some people in Abuja to control the state, Mr Cobham said this was not true.
He stated that Governor Otu is a grassroots politician who has shown he cares about the state’s interests. "However, we know there are people trying to affect the state’s political matters. I call them ‘bourgeoisie compradors’ and ‘political boys’,” he said.
He added that the government is aware of plans to influence the political future of Cross River but will fight any effort to undermine the state. The commissioner also rejected claims that the government pays secret groups monthly to keep peace in the state.
He challenged anyone with proof of such payments to come forward with it. Regarding workers who protested over unpaid local government salaries, Mr Cobham said the Local Government Service Commission has made it clear that the government did not legally employ those affected.
"I advise anyone with genuine appointment documents to go to court because the government cannot accept employment contracts it did not approve," he said.
Mr Cobham concluded that the Cross River government will keep highlighting real achievements for the people. He urged political opponents to raise the level of debate with facts and constructive discussions.
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