“You Are A Walking Dead” – Otu Tells PDP, Rubbishes Opposition Party’s Profligacy Claim Against Him

By Stanley Ekpenyong, South South Bureau Chief

The opposition People’s Democratic Party, PDP in Cross River state has incurred the wrath of the state government after it released a press statement accusing the  governor, Senator Bassey Otu of profligacy and inability to account for funds that accrued to the state since coming to office.

Reacting, on behalf of Governor Otu, to the PDP’s tirades, Linus Obogo, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, said in a press release made avilable to The Source, that there was no iota of truth in the PDP’s allegations, accusing the party of trying to incite the people against the Governor and merely struggling to remain relevant after a massive electoral defeat last year.

According to him, “the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has finally woken up from the dead after a lengthy period of lying in state, following its total trouncing at the 2023 governorship election…No doubt, the PDP, no matter how it struggles to croak, remains a party walking dead in Cross River State, and one desperately clutching at straws to justify its long waned  influence.

“The PDP and its jaded members, for want of what to say, will always go back to their pastime, which is simply, dishing out beer parlour gossip. This is why the various figures the dead party bandied in their well-worn regurgitations are not only outlandish but patently false.

“It is obvious that the PDP has begun playing politics too early, even before the whistle is sounded ahead of 2027. But truth must, however, be told that, it is time for governance and not politics. So the famished party and its diminishing clan can wait until 2027.

“So, the Friday’s press statement by the PDP, is no doubt a glaring testament to the party’s diminishing relevance in the political landscape of the state. It is equally evident that the party is resorting to baseless accusations and sensationalism in a desperate attempt to regain political traction”

He accused the PDP of ignoring the achievements of the governor since taking office while deliberately feeding the public with falsehood.

“Putatively, PDP’s claim that Governor Otu failed to account for over 70 billion Naira received as intervention funds and N150billon as monthly allocations is not only unfounded but outright hogwash with fiendish intent to stir public angst Governor Otu. For a state that has consistently placed second to last among the 36 sub-nationals in revenue allocations, the PDP should tell Cross Riverians the magic or mystery behind the upsurge in the allocation to the state.

“In just one year, Governor Otu has prioritized infrastructure development, healthcare improvements, and social welfare programs, which have positively impacted the lives of many residents.

Moreover, the assertion that the administration has not adequately utilized the NG-CARES program funds is a gross misrepresentation of reality. On this, the PDP., as always, displayed a rather crass and monumental ignorance about what the NG-CARES is all about. It is a REIMBURSEMENT scheme which Cross River, like other states had earned following an independent verification process.

“That the administration of Otu transparently and successfully directed these resources towards critical areas, including cash transfers to vulnerable populations and community development initiatives clearly underscored his unwavering commitment to bettering the lot of the citizenry. The PDP’s claim of only 1,700 beneficiaries is also not reflective of the broader impact of these programs, which have reached thousands of Cross Riverians.

The PDP’s criticism of the budget allocations is also misplaced. Investments in the governor’s office and other administrative sectors are not merely frivolous expenditures; they are necessary for the effective functioning of government. A well-equipped office fosters efficiency and productivity, ultimately benefiting the citizens.

“On the PDP’s hypocritical stance on local government funding, it is ludicrous that  the same party that unconscionably haemorrhaged funds meant for councils for nearly two decades is suddenly playing the role of an Ombudsman.

It is on record that under their watch, local governments in Cross River State faced stagnation and neglect. Since assuming the reins, Otu’s administration has been working strenuously to revitalize local governance structures and has made strides in ensuring that local councils are adequately funded and supported.

“Like a drowning man struggling to perch on a straw, the PDP, in its febrile attempt to announce its convalescence, is merely seeking to croak in order to be heard. It is the only way its allegation against the First Lady could be contextulised.

“Accordingly, the unfounded and baseless claims against the governor’s wife are not only defamatory but also reflect the PDP’s frustration at their inability to regain lost ground.

“No doubt, the PDP, no matter how it struggles to croak, remains a party “walking dead” in Cross River State, and one desperately clutching at straws to justify its long waned  influence”, Obogo added.

Recall that in a statement at the weekend signed by Prince Mike Ojisi, its Publicity Secretary, the state chapter of the PDP had asked Governor Otu to account for billions of Naira the state has received since he took office.

The party also accused the the First Lady, Rev Eyoanwan Otu of amassing wealth and properties at the expense of the state’s funds.

Said the party “The Peoples Democratic Party Cross River State, notes with appalling concern Governor Otu’s inability to judiciously account for the over  70billion Naira that has entered the State coffers as part of intervention fund released by the President to cushion the effect of the economic crunch beleaguering the nation. Consequent upon the removal of Fuel Subsidy by the Tinubu’s administration and the subsequent meteoric increase in Federal allocation and other sundry intervention funds accrued to the state, Otu’s administration has received over N70billion as Palliative/Intervention Fund, which is different from the over N150billion received as monthly allocation between May 2023 to July 2024.

“Following the excruciating economic maladies, biting hunger and astronomical hike in price of food and commodities in Nigeria, orchestrated primarily by the APC’s anti-people removal of fuel subsidy, one would have thought that Governor Otu, in line with his much touted “People’s First” mantra as the lack of transparency and accountability in his Government is humongously alarming. “We call on Cross Riverians, Anti-graft Agencies, Traditional Rulers, Religious Leaders and Stakeholders to beam their searchlight on the Government and demand for the true dividends of Democracy”

Continuing, the opposition party asked Governor Otu “to account for the over 31 Billion Naira received from the Federal Government as NG-CARES PROGRAM Fund”

According to the PDP, “the NG-CARES Program with a financial arrangement called Program-for-Results (PforR), has provided over 31billion Naira to Cross River State for five platforms namely; Cash Transfer, Community and Social Development Agency (CSDA), Enterprise Development Fund, FADAMA, and Public Workfare. Despite receiving over N31Billion between December 2023 and June 2024, Governor Otu has failed to account for the funds or provide tangible results.

“It is on record that Otu’s administration claim that 1,700 Persons have benefited from the fund. Assuming without conceding that this is true, it therefore raises concern about the utilization of the N31Billion and how much was received by each of the beneficiaries.

“Additionally, the state has received three tranches of Electronic Money Transfer (EMTL), each not less than N7billion, as well as billions from import duty, Companies Income Tax (CIT), Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT), and Customs External Tariff Levies (CET).

“Rather than judiciously allocate these monies to programs and projects that are people-oriented and can ameliorate the plight of the people; Governor Otu’s Budget for 2024 includes questionable allocations such as;

—N5Billion for Renovation of Governor’s office

—N52.5million for printing 400 pieces of Almanacs.

—N36.75million for equipping and restructuring the Assembly Clinic.

To think that the production of mere almanacs cost more than the Assembly Clinics, underscores the point that Governor Otu and his cohorts have turned themselves into narcissistic kleptomaniacs.

–N273million for pilgrimage activities.

–N157.5 Million for Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) African.

—N262.5 million for CPA International.

—N210million for Health Programs for Ex- HoA members.

–N52.5 million for air conditioners, Fans and Water Dispensers”

The Party further alleged that “Just recently, the July 2024 FAAC allocation for the 18 Local Government Areas in Cross River State was paid, which amounted to the sum of N5.63Billion. Assuming that the allocation is equitably divided, each LGA would receive about N312.777million, which could significantly impact on the development we are desperately yearning for in the State”

Accusing the First Lady of acquiring illicit wealth at the expense of the state, the PDP said: “It is worrisome that even the Governor’s wife has been rumoured to have captured Local Government fund leveraging on her experience as former Director in the Local Government Service. Till date, LGAs are not funded by the State Government except through IGR. Rather than fund LGAs, the Governor’s wife is alleged to have erected gigantic edifices all over Calabar from her sudden mysterious wealth which is from corrupt enrichment from LG funds, while LGAs wallow in penury and the Urban Development Authorities have been rendered comatose with filthy streets. Yet, authorities are preying on overtaxed Petty traders struggling to make ends meet in a devastated economic environment.

“We therefore call on the Governor to atleast, have the decency to live up to his own “People’s First” mantra as the lack of transparency and accountability in his Government is humongously alarming. We call on Cross Riverians, Anti-graft Agencies, Traditional Rulers, Religious Leaders and Stakeholders to beam their searchlight on the Government and demand for the true dividends of Democracy.