Arthur Jarvis, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Cross River State, has claimed that Governor Bassey Otu’s administration is initiating a new campaign of intimidation against him and his university. Jarvis alleged that his running mate, Alphonsus Ogar Eba, is currently being targeted, with his home in the Calabar Water Board area marked for demolition. Jarvis expressed concern that he will be the next focus of the government’s actions.
Addressing reporters in Calabar, the opposition candidate pointed to a recent tax audit of his private university as proof of political victimisation. Jarvis insisted that the institution’s taxes are fully paid and dismissed the audit as a baseless tactic to suppress dissent. Furthermore, he noted that while his university receives no government support or infrastructure aid, the administration has ignored multiple requests for dialogue.
State officials have rejected these claims, asserting that no political agenda exists. Ekpenyong Akiba, the Special Adviser to the Governor, and Information Commissioner Erasmus Ekpang clarified that the demolition notices are part of a World Bank-funded water infrastructure project. They stated that 39 structures situated over critical water pipelines are affected, regardless of the owners’ political affiliations.
