Arthur Jarvis Archibong, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Cross River State, has once again accused Governor Bassey Otu of being an absentee leader, claiming he spends less than ten days in the state while spending over 20 days abroad or in Abuja. In a recent interview, Archibong reiterated his earlier criticism, stating that the governor’s prolonged absence has severely impacted governance and left critical decisions to aides, including those involving the arrest and detention of social media critics.
This is not the first time Archibong has raised these concerns. Two weeks prior, during a news conference, he publicly described Otu as an absentee governor, expressing alarm over the lack of visible leadership during crucial times. He argued that when emergencies strike—such as landslides that claimed lives and destroyed properties, or the recent fire at the SPAR shopping mall—the governor is nowhere to be found. These incidents, according to Archibong, highlight a failure in leadership and emergency response.
Archibong questioned the purpose of the governor’s frequent international trips, particularly those aimed at signing Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with foreign investors. He challenged the government to show tangible results from these agreements, asking where the promised factories, jobs, and relief for ordinary citizens are. “After so many MoUs, show me how many have translated to successful projects that are addressing the pitiful situation of this state,” he said, emphasizing that chasing investors abroad cannot justify neglecting urgent domestic crises.
In response, the Commissioner for Information, Ekpenyong Cobham, dismissed Archibong’s claims during a separate press briefing. Cobham argued that modern technology allows the governor to manage state affairs effectively from anywhere in the world. He suggested that Archibong was out of touch with current realities, implying that physical presence is no longer a necessity for effective governance.
Despite the commissioner’s rebuttal, Archibong maintained that the governor’s absence is more than just logistical—it reflects a deeper disconnect from the people. He stressed that while the state faces daily challenges, including infrastructure decay and economic hardship, the governor continues to travel extensively without delivering visible benefits. The PDP flagbearer called on voters to consider the consequences of such leadership, especially as the next election approaches.
As the political landscape heats up in Cross River State, Archibong’s allegations are likely to remain a key point of debate, influencing public perception and voter decisions in the upcoming elections.
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