The African Democratic Congress, ADC, a leading opposition coalition party in Cross River State, has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, of lacking vision and misplacing priorities in governance.
Reacting to a recent publication by the Cross River State Consultative Forum, CRSCF, which criticized the stakeholders’ meeting convened by the ADC, the party said it was registered in 2005 but is only six months old as a coalition.
Despite this short period, the ADC claimed its activities have already unsettled the APC.
Describing the CRSCF’s comments as “empty propaganda,” the ADC argued that the remarks were merely an attempt to divert attention from what it called the “ineptitude” of the APC-led administration.
“The people of Cross River State deserve better from the APC, instead of misplaced priorities and lack of vision,” the party said.
The ADC challenged the CRSCF to publish the government’s manifesto and provide a detailed account of funds received from federal allocations, local government allocations, internally generated revenue, tariffs, taxes, loans, and grants.
“We need the government to show citizens tangible results of what they have done with all the money,” the party insisted.
The ADC also accused the APC administration of running “job placement scams,” where citizens are allegedly made to pay for employment opportunities.
According to Dr Effiong Nyong, the party’s national deputy publicity secretary and its 2023 governorship candidate, the practice has become the norm in the state.
The party further criticized Governor Bassey Otu’s administration for multiple taxation, which it said has driven businesses out of the state and stifled economic growth.
It also faulted the government for abandoning former Governor Ben Ayade’s industrial initiatives, which, according to the ADC, could have boosted the state’s economy.
The ADC maintained that it will not be intimidated by what it described as “cheap blackmail” from the CRSCF or other government agents.
