Politics
Gov Otu Inherited Empty Treasury, Decayed Infrastructure -Commissioner
Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure in Cross River, Ankpo Edet, says that in spite of meeting decayed infrastructure and empty treasury, the present administration has achieved a lot in its pursuit of urban renewal.
The commissioner, who disclosed this at a press briefing in Calabar on Wednesday, said several road projects were ongoing across the state, particularly in Calabar metropolis and environs.
He said aside from road rehabilitation, some new ones had been constructed, and several other signature road projects would soon be flagged off for construction.
“The level of infrastructure decay we met on the ground was such that I was confused as a commissioner when I went round Calabar upon resumption.
“I am happy to announce that we have done a lot in rehabilitating most of these roads in spite of the Senator Bassey Out-led administration meeting empty treasury.
“Just like we had in Calabar Municipality and Calabar South, so were there several unmotorable roads in Cross River North and Cross River Central,” he said.
The Commissioner, however, said since the government was a continuum, the present administration would not abandon any of the road projects inherited from previous administrations.
“These projects are being carried out with taxpayers’ money and so, we will work on them and also not abandon any of those we are working on now.
“You will see the serious work on the Parliamentary Extension Road. We are using this road to be our super highway since the one embarked upon by the immediate past administration didn’t see the light of the day,” he stated.
The commissioner further said the government had adopted concrete pavement in state road construction.
He, however, said local contractors mostly handled the road projects for economic purposes.
“We don’t like capital flight, and these local contractors are doing a tremendous job on these projects,” he explained.
The commissioner said the ongoing Obudu airport project would be concluded by May.
During a press conference held in Owerri, the coalition called the campaign a “dangerous and shameful display” designed to distract the public from the governor’s performance in office.
The CSOs directly linked the Greater Imo Initiative (GII) —the group that made the allegations on September 4, 2025—to Governor Uzodimma, describing the group as his “mouthpiece and attack dog.”
“Every word spoken against INEC was spoken on his behalf.
“By falsely alleging that Professor Yakubu has an alliance with Dr. Amadi to compromise the 2027 elections, Uzodimma has not only maligned a man of proven integrity but also assaulted the very foundation of our democracy”, said Dr Agbo Frederick, speaking for the coalition.
The coalition described Professor Yakubu as a “beacon of electoral professionalism” and called the attempt to soil his reputation “defamatory and a national security risk.”
They also defended Dr. Amadi, a “respected development scholar,” stating that the governor’s accusations were “laughable, desperate, and dangerous.”
The CSOs see the motive behind the campaign as an attempt to “silence the dissent, intimidate the opposition, and divert attention from the governor’s abysmal record in office.”
The coalition issued four key demands to Governor Uzodimma: An immediate retraction of the false and defamatory allegations against Professor Mahmood Yakubu and Dr. Chima Amadi.
- A public apology to both men within seven days, to be published in at least three national newspapers and broadcast on major television networks.
- An end to diversionary tactics and proxy propaganda.
- A renewed focus on governance, including addressing insecurity, unemployment, and poverty in Imo State.
The CSOs warned that failure to comply would force them to “review our position with a view to seeking legal redress from Governor Uzodimma for defamation, false accusation, and reckless endangerment of lives.”
“Governor Uzodimma must be reminded that he did not find himself in the seat of power to chase shadows.
“We call on all Nigerians to reject Uzodimma’s diversionary antics as they are nothing short of desperate plots by a government terrified of accountability”, the statement concluded.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC expressed concern that preventing the senator from resuming her legislative duties violates democratic principles and disenfranchises her constituents.
“The suspension, having been imposed by the Senate and not a court of law, has lapsed. Any further attempt to prevent her from resuming is therefore both illegal and morally indefensible,” Mallam Abdullahi said.
The party noted that denying Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan access to the chamber silences the voice of the people who elected her, adding that the withdrawal of her salary, aides, and office access during the suspension amounted to excessive punishment.
The ADC also criticised the Clerk of the National Assembly for declining to process her resumption on grounds that the matter was before the courts, arguing that the Clerk’s role was administrative, not judicial.
“Administrative caution must not translate into complicity. When the administrative machinery becomes hostage to political interests, the institution itself is diminished,” the party stated.
Highlighting that Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan is one of only four women in the 109-member Senate, the ADC warned that the handling of the case sends a discouraging signal about gender inclusion in Nigerian politics.
“Any action that resembles gender intimidation of the few women in the Senate would only discourage women’s participation. Nigeria cannot claim to be a democracy while excluding half of its population from key decision-making spaces,” Mallam Abdullahi added.
The ADC insisted that Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan be allowed to resume her seat immediately, stressing that the matter was about more than one individual.
“What is at stake here is not just one Senate seat, but the integrity of our democracy itself,” the party said.
