The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress in Cross River State, Hon. Christopher Etta, has dismissed allegations that the state government's demolition exercise is politically motivated, insisting that properties belonging to members of the ruling party are also affected.
Speaking on recent controversies surrounding the exercise, Etta accused critics of attempting to politicise a government action that, according to him, is based on established procedures rather than political affiliation.
He maintained that the majority of properties marked for demolition belong to APC members, arguing that the exercise should not be portrayed as a targeted campaign against opposition figures.
"If you look at the records, several APC members' houses have also been marked. The issue is not about political parties but about compliance. It is wrong to isolate one individual and make it appear as though the government is targeting the opposition," he said.
Etta challenged journalists to go beyond publishing claims made by affected individuals by independently verifying the facts with the relevant government agencies before reporting.
According to him, responsible journalism requires presenting all sides of an issue to enable the public to understand the true circumstances surrounding government actions.
The APC chairman also dismissed allegations made against the state government by political commentator Paterson, describing him as someone who lacks firsthand knowledge of developments in Cross River State.
He argued that it was difficult to attach credibility to commentaries from individuals living outside the state without direct knowledge of events on the ground.
"You cannot be living abroad and claim to know every detail of what is happening here. It is important that the media verify such claims instead of accepting them at face value," he stated.
On concerns over the emergence of credible candidates during party congresses, Etta said the APC cannot prevent any qualified Nigerian from seeking elective office.
He stressed that the Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to contest elections, adding that political parties cannot arbitrarily determine who should or should not run.
According to him, the challenge facing Nigeria's electoral process is the growing influence of money on political participation, noting that financial inducement continues to shape the choices made during party primaries and elections.
He said while political parties desire competent candidates, the reality remains that financial strength often plays a significant role in determining electoral outcomes.
Reacting to allegations by Arthur Jarvis Archibong that the Cross River State Government was using taxation to stifle his university, Etta dismissed the claim and insisted that any assessment should be based on official financial records.
He urged journalists to obtain and examine the institution's tax records to determine whether the allegations were supported by facts.
"If the records are made available showing what ought to have been paid, what was paid and what remains outstanding, the facts will speak for themselves," he said.
Etta reiterated the need for fact based reporting, urging media practitioners to verify allegations through official channels before presenting them to the public.
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