By Nsan Ndoma-Neji, Calabar
A tax dispute involving the Arthur Jarvis University, owned by the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP governorship candidate, Sir Arthur Jarvis Archibong and the Cross River State government has sparked a war of words between the state chapters of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC and the opposition PDP.
Chairman of the Cross River States chapter of the APC, Barr. Chris Sunny Etta, yesterday dismissed the allegations that the state government is imposing excessive taxes on the university to frustrate its operations, describing the claim as “unsubstantiated” and lacking factual backing.
Recall that Archibong had earlier accused the APC-led state government of deliberately imposing heavy tax assessments on his institution because of his political affiliation.
But, responding to the allegation in Calabar during an interactive session with journalists, Etta said tax matters should not be politicized.
He said, “Tax-related issues are not unusual, but they should be resolved through documentary evidence rather than public accusations.”
Challenging the university management to make its financial records public, the APC chairman stated that “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.”
He therefore urged journalists to demand official documents, noting that “facts and verified records would provide a clearer understanding of the dispute than political statements.”
On the planned demolition of structures on the state Water Board land, Etta also rejected claims of selective targeting of opposition members.
He enthused, “On the issue of demolition, I’m surprised that you are now turning into the echo chamber of the opposition.
“Because if you are not, you would have realised that even houses of APC members are also marked, for demolition.
“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.”
