The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Cross River State, Sir Arthur Jarvis Archibong, has accused the administration of Governor Bassey Otu of deploying tax authorities to target his university, alleging it is the latest move in a wider clampdown on the opposition.
Sir Jarvis, founder of Arthur Jarvis University, the first private university in Cross River, spoke amid reports that tax officials were assembled to audit the institution over alleged PAYE tax.
“It is so insulting. A state government that has not given the University even a pin is now gathering directors to x-ray what taxes we have not paid,” he said.
The allegation comes days after the Water Board estate house of his running mate, Alphonsus Eba, Esq., was marked for demolition, a move Archibong linked to what he described as the so-called “crush of the opposition.”
Archibong noted that the university, which employs over 500 people and has awarded scholarships to more than 300 students, has never received state support, unlike private universities in other states.
“Private universities in other states get grants of about 500 million naira and above. Their roads are done,” he said.
Adding, “Here, not even a pin. All requests for the University Management to pay a courtesy call to the governor since he was sworn in have not been approved.”
Speaking further, he insisted the institution’s tax records were in order and up to date.
“Our taxes are up to date,” he said, describing the audit as “funny” and “insulting.”
Archibong said he will be the next target after Eba. “I’m next, when they finish with Eba,” he said, tying the tax probe directly to the Water Board land dispute and advising the government against escalating the standoff.
“We are watching,” he said, advising the government not to start what, in his words, “may get messier.”