The performance of the Bassey Otu administration has become a fresh point of contention in Cross River, with the state government challenging opposition parties to a public debate.
Commissioner for Information, Ekpenyong Cobham, issued the challenge during a media parley at the Ernest Etim Bassey Press Centre in Calabar, reacting to claims that Otu had not spent up to 10 days in Cross River in any month since assuming office.
Cobham said the opposition should focus its criticism on the administration’s record and achievements rather than Governor Otu’s physical presence in the state.
The commissioner argued that governance should be judged by performance and impact, rather than the amount of time a governor spends physically in the state.
“Talk about the record, the performance index at this point in time. Reel out what you think the government has not been able to achieve. Come up with strong reasons, and let us engage”, he said.
Cobham challenged opposition parties to a public debate, saying they should present specific areas where they believe the administration has fallen short.
He also cited the government’s efforts to position Cross River among oil-producing states as one of the issues that should form part of any assessment of the administration’s performance.
