The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Cross River, Sir Arthur Jarvis Archibong, has accused the State government of deploying tax authorities to target his university, Arthur Jarvis University located in Akpabio local government area of the state.
The allegation came days after the house of his running mate, Alphonsus Eba, at the Water Board estate was marked alongside others for demolition, a move Javis linked to what he described as the “so-called attempt to crush the opposition.”
Speaking in Calabar, Friday, against the backdrop of unconfirmed reports that tax officials had been assembled to audit the institution over PAYE tax, the PDP guber hopeful described the development as “the latest move in a wider clampdown on the opposition.”
Javis noted that the University, which, he said, employs over 500 people and has awarded scholarships to more than 300 students, has never received state support, unlike private universities in other states.
“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.”
“Private universities in other states get grants of about 500 million Naira and above. Their roads are done. 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. Our taxes are up to date,” he stated.
Responding, the State’s Commissioner for Information, Erasmus Ekpang, said payment of tax is obligatory that even the opposition must pay.
“You cannot be benefitting from a system and then you come out to say you will not do that which is expected of you. Archibong and Eba cannot stop the government. The government must go on,” he stated.