Calabar — The Cross River State Consultative Forum (CRSCF) has strongly criticized a recent quality-of-life report published by SBM Intelligence, describing its findings on Cross River State as methodologically flawed, analytically weak, and incapable of accurately reflecting the realities of the state.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Barr. Eyo Nsa Ekpo, and Secretary, Dr. Julius Ochim Okputu, the Forum expressed concern over the report titled "Where Nigerian Families Actually Thrive," which ranked Cross River poorly across several governance and livability indicators.
According to the Forum, the report's conclusions were based on surveys involving only 442 respondents for its Quality of Life Survey and 191 respondents for its Power Survey across several states and the Federal Capital Territory, a sample size it described as inadequate for drawing definitive conclusions about millions of Nigerians.
"The report suffers from significant methodological limitations, analytical overreach, and sweeping generalisations that substantially weaken the credibility of its conclusions regarding Cross River State," the statement read.
The Forum particularly objected to characterisations such as "state collapse," "systemic governance failure," and suggestions that relocation represented "the only rational choice" for residents, arguing that such conclusions lacked sufficient statistical backing and neutrality.
CRSCF further accused the report of blurring the line between objective analysis and editorial commentary, alleging that it relied heavily on anecdotal evidence, media reports, subjective interpretations, and emotionally charged language rather than verifiable long-term governance data.
While acknowledging the existence of developmental challenges in the state, the Forum argued that the report failed to adequately consider broader national economic pressures affecting all states, including inflation, fuel subsidy removal, rising energy costs, exchange rate volatility, and infrastructure deficits.
"It is difficult to isolate quality-of-life outcomes from prevailing national macroeconomic realities, especially within a federal system where many fiscal and structural constraints remain centrally influenced," the Forum stated.
The group also pointed to what it described as inconsistencies within the report itself. It noted that despite portraying Cross River as suffering institutional decline, the report reportedly indicated that 59.1 per cent of respondents in the state remained optimistic about future improvements in electricity supply—a figure higher than those recorded in Abuja and Anambra.
Similarly, the Forum observed that Rivers State, which performed better on several indicators in the report, still recorded a relocation intention rate of 40.4 per cent, suggesting that migration decisions may be influenced by factors beyond governance performance.
Defending the administration of Governor Bassey Otu, the Forum highlighted several initiatives undertaken since 2023 under the government's "People First" agenda.
According to the statement, the administration has embarked on road construction and rehabilitation projects across key parts of the state, including the Calabar–Akamkpa corridor, the Okuku–Yala axis, and several rural roads in Yakurr, Biase, Ikom, and Odukpani Local Government Areas.
The Forum also cited investments in healthcare, including the revitalisation of primary healthcare centres across the state's 18 local government areas, upgrades of dialysis centres in Calabar and Ogoja, expanded health insurance coverage, and intensified immunisation programmes.
In the education sector, it pointed to the payment of WAEC examination fees for thousands of students over the past three years, rehabilitation of schools, provision of furniture, promotion of education personnel, and expansion of technical and vocational education opportunities.
The statement further highlighted efforts to revive tourism through the repositioning of Marina Resort, restoration initiatives at Obudu Ranch Resort, and reforms that have reportedly boosted attendance at Carnival Calabar.
The Forum also referenced agricultural and youth empowerment programmes implemented through partnerships with initiatives such as LIFE-ND, APPEALS, and FADAMA, as well as the payment of pension and gratuity arrears and the employment of over 10,000 persons into the state's public service.
While admitting that developmental challenges remain, CRSCF maintained that portraying Cross River as a state in collapse neither encourages constructive policy engagement nor reflects the resilience and aspirations of its people.
The Forum warned that sensational portrayals of the state could negatively affect investor confidence, tourism prospects, and public morale.
It therefore called on research institutions and policy organisations to adopt more transparent methodologies, broader sampling frameworks, stronger peer-review mechanisms, and balanced analytical approaches when publishing reports with significant socioeconomic and political implications.
The Forum reaffirmed its commitment to evidence-based advocacy, constructive dialogue, and collaborative efforts aimed at promoting sustainable development and strengthening governance in Cross River State.
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