Demolition: APC insists 75% of members’ property in Calabar estate affected

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Cross River state has rejected claims of witch-hunt from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on the proposed demolition of houses in the Water Board land, saying 75 percent of structures marked for the exercise were those of its members.

Chairman of the party in the state, Hon. Chris Sunny Etta, said this in Calabar, Tuesday, during an interactive session with the media.

Etta, who described the proposed demolition as a lawful administrative action rather than a politically motivated campaign against the opposition, maintained that the exercise was based on government regulations and that it affects individuals across political divides.

“On the issue of demolition, I’m surprised that the PDP is now turning a genuine government’s action into something else. Even APC members’ houses are also marked.

“Maybe one or two opposition members’ houses are marked, but several APC members’ houses are marked too. From what was published even in national dailies, more than 75 per cent of those on that list are APC members.

“The issue there is not about demolition. The issue is our standings. Proper investigation will reveal whether the action was purely political or simply government carrying out its responsibilities,” he added.

The APC chairman also addressed allegations made by the PDP governorship candidate, Sir Arthur Jarvis Archibong, who accused the state government of imposing excessive taxes on his university, Arthur Jarvis University.

He challenged the university’s management to disclose its tax assessments and payment history, insisting that such transparency would allow the public to determine the facts.

“If you ask him to show you his record, based on what he ought to pay, what he actually paid and what he has to pay based on the assessments, I’m sure that his theory will fall,” Etta said.