Ex-Calabar Municipality chairman faults Jarvis’ governorship ambition

A former chairman of Calabar Municipality, Mr Bobby Ekpenyong, has criticised the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Cross River State, Sir Arthur Jarvis Archibong, for seeking to govern the state without prior experience in public office.

Ekpenyong, a former secretary of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), described Archibong’s ambition as an insult, arguing that he lacked the experience required to govern the state.

He also condemned a statement attributed to Archibong that there was a vacancy at Government House, Calabar, describing it as treasonable.

Speaking at a news conference in Calabar, Ekpenyong said the PDP candidate lacked experience in politics and governance.

“Arthur Jarvis is an apprentice in politics and governance. Cross River is too big and complex to be handed over to such a political neophyte,” he said.

He argued that Archibong had never held an elected or appointed public office and advised him to begin his political career at the grassroots.

Ekpenyong also alleged that the PDP candidate had no significant political achievements in the state, adding that his late father’s brief tenure as military administrator was insufficient to establish his political credentials.

He urged political aspirants and parties to present verifiable records of their achievements, outline practical programmes and engage voters responsibly.

Ekpenyong, who spoke in his capacity as director-general of Neighbours To Neighbours Network, a support group for Governor Bassey Otu, said the group would continue to mobilise communities ahead of the 2027 general election.