PDP SUPPORT GROUPS SLAM OTU’S ADMINISTRATION OVER DISMAL PERFORMANCE

The Coalition of PDP Support Groups in Cross River State has condemned Governor Bassey Otu’s administration for its dismal performance, lack of direction, and failure to deliver on promises made to the people of Cross River State. In a statement signed by Prince Ekamon Newgent Bassey, Leader of the Coalition, the group exposed a government mired in incompetence, internal strife, and hollow promises that do little to address the State’s pressing needs.

Prince Ekamon Newgent Bassey stated that the administration has presided over a decline in key sectors of the economy, leaving Cross Riverians with dashed hopes and a bleak future. “The numbers tell a very stark story,” he said, citing data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) that shows Cross River State ranking 29th out of 36 states in primary school enrollment, with only 62% of eligible children attending school.

Bassey further highlighted the State’s healthcare delivery system, saying it is “crumbling” with just 0.8 hospital beds per 1,000 people, compared to the national average of 1.2. He also noted that the doctor-to-patient ratio is a shocking 1 to 5,000, far worse than the World Health Organization’s recommended 1:600.

The Coalition also criticized the State Government’s public spat with the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) over a road project, which devolved into a spectacle of ego and pride. Bassey described the incident as a “feeble attempt to deflect blame from its own dysfunction.”

The group called on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the national level to unite, put its house in order, and seize the opportunity to rescue Cross River State from the APC’s failures. “The PDP is ready to lead and the time to act is now,” Bassey emphasized, urging all stakeholders to join the Coalition in rejecting the failures of the Bassey Otu administration.

Newgent Bassey also highlighted the State’s poor Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), which underscores the administration’s economic mismanagement. “In 2024, the State generated just N18.5 billion in IGR, ranking 28th out of 36 states per NBS data,” he said, adding that this paltry figure reflects a failure to stimulate economic activity, attract investment, or diversify revenue sources.

The Coalition stands firm in its mission to restore Cross River State to its path of progress and urges all stakeholders to join them in rejecting the failures of the Bassey Otu administration.