The Cross River State Government and the Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate, Arthurjavis Archibong, have disagreed over allegations that tax enforcement measures are being used to target opposition figures in the state.
Archibong made the allegation on Friday during a news conference in Calabar, where he accused the state government of planning punitive action against his private institution, Arthur Jarvis University.
The PDP candidate claimed that the government was preparing to move against the university through what he described as questionable tax demands.
According to him, the alleged tax action was politically motivated and aimed at weakening opposition voices ahead of the 2027 elections.
Archibong said Arthur Jarvis University had contributed significantly to the state’s economy by employing more than 500 workers and supporting about 200 students through scholarships.
He described any attempt to disrupt the operations of the institution as unfair and harmful to private investment in Cross River State.
The opposition candidate said he had made several attempts over the past three years to meet with Governor Bassey Otu but had not been granted an audience.
He argued that private investors should be encouraged by government because of their role in job creation and economic development.
Archibong insisted that the university had fulfilled its tax obligations to the state.
He said the institution’s taxes were up to date and that it also paid the annual high net worth tax of N1 million.
According to him, the university would not have been issued tax clearance if it had failed to meet its tax responsibilities.
The PDP candidate criticised the planned audit of the university’s tax records, describing it as unnecessary and politically suspicious.
He suggested that the action appeared to be retaliatory rather than a normal revenue enforcement process.
The allegation comes shortly after the residence of his running mate, Alphonsus Eba, at Water Board Estate, was reportedly marked for demolition.
Responding to the claims, the Cross River State Commissioner for Information, Erasmus Ekpang, dismissed the allegation of political persecution.
Ekpang said tax payment remained a legal responsibility for all citizens and organisations, regardless of their political affiliation.
He maintained that opposition figures were not exempt from government regulations or statutory obligations.
The commissioner said Archibong and the PDP should not portray routine government actions as political attacks.
Ekpang also said governance in Cross River State would continue despite opposition criticism.
According to him, no individual or political group could stop the state government from carrying out its duties.
He advised Archibong and the PDP to remain calm if they had already conceded defeat ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
The exchange has added a fresh political dimension to debates over taxation, private investment, and opposition activity in Cross River State.
