2027: PDP candidate seeks open debate with Cross River governor Otu

The governorship candidate of the People Democratic Party (PDP) in Cross River state, Sir Arthur Javis Archibong, has declared his readiness to engage the governor, Sen. Bassey Otu, in an open debate at any time and venue of the governor’s choice.

In a chat with journalists in Calabar, Tuesday, Archibong, who was responding to a challenge issued by the Commissioner for Information, Pastor Ekpenyong Cobham on the matter, said he was ready to honour the challenge to a debate as demanded.

“I am willing to honour the challenge to a debate, on one condition: that Governor Bassey Otu will be there in person. The people deserve to hear directly from those seeking to lead them, not from proxies,” Archibong said.

The PDP candidate added that he would not be drawn into exchanging words with the commissioner over the matter, adding “Pastor Cobham is my brother but he is not on the ballot, so I will not join issues with him.”

Archibong, who is the founder and chancellor of the first private university in the state, Arthur Jarvis University (AJU) Akpabuyo, also addressed recent criticisms of the university.

He said the university was established with the good intent to serve Cross Riverians and would not be distracted by false allegations.