The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Cross River State, Arthur Jarvis Archibong, has pledged to serve only one term if elected governor in 2027.
Mr Archibong made the declaration on Thursday in Calabar while speaking with journalists and PDP stakeholders in Cross River.
He said he would serve only four years, describing the pledge as a covenant with Cross River people and God.
“I will serve only one term because it represents the balance of the tenure of the Southern Senatorial District,” he said.
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Mr Archibong promised to remain accessible, undertake regular tours across the state and personally inspect projects if elected governor.
He said development would reach every local government area, while governance would be driven by inclusion, accountability and direct engagement with citizens.
The PDP candidate also pledged to strengthen local governments and promote sustainable wealth creation across communities.
He said his administration would govern all Cross River residents fairly, regardless of political affiliation, ethnicity or social status.
It’s time to criticise Gov Otu, says the PDP candidate
Mr Archibong said he deliberately refrained from publicly criticising the current administration for three years.
According to him, that period was sufficient for the government to demonstrate its ability to provide effective leadership and development.
“Remaining silent with less than one year left in this administration would amount to betraying the people,” he said.
He alleged that Governor Bassey Otu was frequently absent from the state, and this situation had weakened direct interaction between the government and the people.
The PDP candidate argued that such absences had also affected effective decision-making and responsiveness to public concerns.
He further criticised what he described as excessive concentration of governance activities in Calabar.
According to him, the governor should regularly visit communities across the state’s three senatorial districts.
Mr Archibong also faulted the administration over what he termed inadequate supervision of projects.
He claimed that nearly four years into the administration, the state had yet to witness a defining signature project.
“Rural communities remain neglected. Local government areas should enjoy greater financial autonomy to tackle poverty and improve services,” he said.
He further alleged imbalance in appointments, contract awards and access to government opportunities.
“Proximity to power often determines access to opportunities that should be available fairly to all citizens,” he claimed.
Mr Archibong called for competence, fairness and inclusion in governance across the state.
He said Cross River’s diverse ethnic communities deserved equitable representation and equal access to government resources.
He condemned alleged attempts to suppress opposition voices and dissenting opinions, insisting that citizens must retain the right to criticise government policies without intimidation or fear.
Mr Archibong also expressed concern over alleged plans to influence future elections through violence and security-related tactics. He urged political stakeholders, security agencies and citizens to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process.
Mr Archibong is the founder of Arthur Jarvis University in Cross River. His running mate is Alphonsus Eba, immediate past chairman of the All Progressives Congress in Cross River, who recently defected to the PDP.
(NAN)