…maintains that the exercise was based on government regulations and affected individuals across political divides
By Our Reporter
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Published on July 18, 2026
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4 min read
The Chairman of the Cross River State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Chris Sunny Etta, has defended the state’s proposed demolition of structures on the State Water Board land, describing the exercise as a lawful administrative action rather than a politically motivated campaign against opposition figures.
Speaking during an interactive session with journalists in Calabar, Etta dismissed allegations that the planned demolition was intended to intimidate political opponents.
He maintained that the exercise was based on government regulations and affected individuals across political divides.
He explained further that a significant number of the affected property owners are members of the ruling APC, a situation he said undermines claims that the exercise was designed to weaken opposition parties ahead of future elections.
“On the issue of demolition, I’m surprised that you are now turning into the echo chamber of the opposition.
“If you are not, you would have realised that even APC members’ houses are also marked. Maybe one or two opposition houses are marked, but several APC members’ houses are marked. From what was published, 80 per cent of those on that list are APC members,” he said.
Etta urged journalists and members of the public to rely on verified information rather than political narratives, stressing that the dispute should be examined through official records and legal obligations.
“The issue there is not about demolition. The issue is our standings. Proper investigation will reveal whether the action was purely political or simply the government carrying out its responsibilities,” he added.
The APC chairman also addressed allegations made by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Sir Arthur Jarvis Archibong, who accused the state government of imposing excessive tax obligations on his private university.
While acknowledging that tax disputes can arise, Etta argued that the matter should be resolved through verifiable financial records rather than public accusations.
He challenged the university’s management to disclose its tax assessments and payment history, insisting that such transparency would allow the public to determine the facts.
“If you ask him to show you his record, based on what he ought to pay, what he actually paid and what he has to pay based on the assessments, I’m sure that his theory will fall,” Etta said.
Calling on the media to uphold professional standards, he encouraged journalists to seek documentary evidence from all parties before publishing claims, noting that factual reporting remains essential to maintaining public confidence in governance and accountability.
Etta also criticised a diaspora commentator, identified as Portrait Peterson, accusing him of making inaccurate statements about political developments in Cross River State despite living outside the country.
“You cannot live abroad and be knowing how the chairs in the house in another country are placed. You live in London and I have red chairs in my house, yet you are telling the whole world that my chairs are blue. He is just mouthing what his paymasters want him to mouth,” he said.
On internal party democracy, the APC chairman argued that political parties should not deny eligible aspirants the opportunity to contest elections based on subjective judgments about their appearance, eloquence or perceived competence.
He warned that excessive screening could be viewed as an attempt to suppress constitutional rights and manipulate the democratic process.
Etta lamented the continued influence of vote buying, popularly described as “stomach infrastructure,” on electoral outcomes. “Unfortunately, you and I are in an environment where the stomach determines who runs the election.
During elections, people will follow who gives them more money. It is a case of the chicken and the groundnut seeds. Whoever drops the grain, that is the one the chickens will congregate around,” he said.
He maintained that while the APC would continue to promote issue-based campaigns and internal democracy, sustained electoral reforms and civic education are necessary to strengthen democratic governance and reduce the influence of financial inducements during elections.
