The Cross River State government and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the state, Arthur Javis Archibong, on Friday exchanged words over allegations of a tax witch-hunt.

Mr Archibong, speaking at a news conference in Calabar, accused the state government of using tax measures to silence opposition voices, an allegation the government has denied.

He claimed that the government was planning to clamp down on his institution, Arthur Jarvis University, over what he described as fictitious tax claims aimed at weakening the opposition.

Mr Archibong said any move against the university, which employs more than 500 workers and supports about 200 students on scholarships, would be disheartening.

“In spite of being in opposition, I have, for three years, tried to secure an audience with the governor to no avail,” he said.

“The government should be supportive of private investors and not make things difficult for them, given their role as major employers in society.

“Our taxes are up to date. We even pay the high net worth tax of N1 million annually. If we had not complied, we would not have been issued tax clearance,” he added.

The PDP candidate described the planned audit of the university’s tax records as “funny” and “insulting”, warning that it appeared retaliatory.

The allegation comes days after the residence of his running mate, Alphonsus Eba, located in the Water Board Estate, was marked for demolition.

Responding, the commissioner for information, Erasmus Ekpang, dismissed the claims, stressing that tax payment is a statutory obligation for all citizens, including opposition figures.

Mr Ekpang advised Mr Archibong and the PDP to remain calm if they had already conceded defeat ahead of the 2027 elections.

“You cannot benefit from a system and then refuse to comply with its requirements. Archibong and Eba cannot stop the government. Governance must continue,” he said.

(NAN)