The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Cross River State has criticised the administration of Governor Bassey Otu of the ruling APC, saying it is retrogressive and eroded past achievements.
Former guber candidate and leader of the ADC in the state, Dr Effiong Nyong, said Otu’s governing style and performances are ‘below average.’
He spoke with journalists yesterday in Calabar, lamenting that Cross River is no longer the progressive state which the APC had grabbed.
According to him, the state has continued to decline in key sectors including education, sports, tourism and public administration.
Nyong reviewed the state’s governance trajectory and expressed concern over what he called the erosion of Cross River’s past achievements.
He said the state was once regarded as a leading hub for quality education in Nigeria, but has now lost its competitive edge due to years of policy neglect and institutional decline.
‘I schooled in Cross River State when people came from different parts of the country because they were certain of getting a quality education. Today, can we still say the same? The answer is no,’ he said.
He also lamented the collapse of the state’s tourism and sports sectors, recalling the golden era when Rovers Football Club of Calabar was one of Nigeria’s most celebrated teams.
Nyong further argued that despite significant federal allocations and available economic assets, the state had failed to translate resources into visible development outcomes.
‘Cross River receives substantial revenue, yet there is little to show in terms of development compared to other states with fewer resources,’ he said.
Nyong maintained that his party, the ADC, remains committed to offering alternative leadership that would restore accountability and development in the state.
He, however, dismissed claims that the ADC was working for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing such allegations as political speculation.