The African Democratic Congress (ADC), a prominent opposition party in Cross River State, has criticized the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for lacking a clear vision and mismanaging priorities in governance. In response to criticism from the Cross River State Consultative Forum (CRSCF) regarding a meeting organized by the ADC, the party noted that while it was officially registered in 2005, it has only been functioning as a coalition for six months. Despite this brief timeframe, the ADC claims its activities have already caused discomfort for the APC. Labeling the comments from the CRSCF as “empty propaganda,” the ADC asserted that such remarks are simply meant to distract from what it sees as the incompetence of the APC-led government. The ADC emphasized that the people of Cross River State deserve better than the current administration’s misplaced priorities. They challenged the CRSCF to publicly share the government’s manifesto and provide a transparency report on federal and local government funding, along with details on revenue collection and spending. The party insisted that citizens should see concrete evidence of how their money is being used. Additionally, the ADC accused the APC administration of conducting “job placement scams,” where citizens are reportedly charged for job opportunities, a practice that Dr. Effiong Nyong, the party’s national deputy publicity secretary and 2023 gubernatorial candidate, claims has become widespread. The ADC also criticized Governor Bassey Otu’s administration for imposing excessive taxes that have driven businesses away, hampering economic growth, and for neglecting the industrial projects initiated by former Governor Ben Ayade that could have benefited the state’s economy. The ADC firmly stated that it will not be intimidated by what it calls “cheap blackmail” from the CRSCF or other government entities.
