Former Calabar Municipality chairman Bobby Ekpenyong has denounced PDP governorship hopeful Sir Arthur Jarvis Archibong’s bid to lead [Cross River State](https://crossriverstate.gov.ng), arguing the candidate has no prior experience in elected or appointed public office and that his ambition is an insult to the state’s size and complexity.
What are Ekpenyong’s main concerns?
Ekpenyong, a former secretary of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), described Archibong as an “apprentice in politics and governance,” insisting that Cross River is “too big and complex to be handed over to such a political neophyte.” He also labelled a statement attributed to Archibong about a vacancy at Government House, Calabar, as “treasonable.”
He pointed out that Archibong has never held an elected or appointed position and urged him to begin his political career at the grassroots level. Ekpenyong further noted that the late father’s brief stint as a military administrator does not constitute a solid political pedigree.
The former chairman called on all political aspirants and parties to present verifiable records of their achievements, outline realistic programmes, and engage voters responsibly.
Speaking in his capacity as director‑general of Neighbours To Neighbours Network, a support group for Governor Bassey Otu, Ekpenyong said the organisation will continue mobilising communities ahead of the [Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)](https://pdp.org.ng)‑led push toward the 2027 general election.