From Musa Muhammad Kutama, Calabar
The Calabar Municipal Local Government Area has dismissed allegations circulating on social media against its chairman, James Anam, describing the claims as false and politically motivated.
The council was reacting to reports alleging tension in the local government over the chairman’s leadership style, delays in salary payments and appointments, poor handling of a ₦200m loan, disputes over party congresses, and alleged displacement of traders due to ongoing market reforms.
In a statement issued to journalists in Calabar by the council’s media officer, Oqua Etim, the council said the allegations were fabricated by “desperate politicians” seeking to discredit the chairman.
Etim said the claims, reportedly circulated online by an individual identified as Emmanuel Edet Ani, were misleading and intended to misinform the public.
“I read about the falsehood against the most refined politician of our time in Calabar Municipality. Normally I would have ignored the post written by a desperate politician using a pseudonym, but in the interest of the public, we need to clear the air so that falsehood does not prevail,” the statement read.
The council denied claims that there was tension within the local government administration, insisting that the chairman runs an inclusive government that carries stakeholders along in decision-making.
“To the best of my knowledge, the Mayor of Calabar runs one of the most accessible administrations where stakeholders are actively involved in governance,” the statement added.
The council also addressed claims that the vice chairman had not been provided with an office, explaining that several offices in the council secretariat were in poor condition when the administration assumed office and are currently undergoing renovation.
According to the statement, about ₦10m had been made available to support the refurbishment of the vice chairman’s office.
Reacting to allegations of controversy during the ward and local government congresses of the All Progressives Congress, the council said the exercise was peaceful and transparent.
“The congresses were monitored by the National Congress Monitoring Committee from the party’s national secretariat and were adjudged peaceful and effective,” the statement said.
The council also defended the administration’s handling of development projects, noting that several infrastructure projects had been completed or were nearing completion.
These include the asphalting of the council premises, installation of street lights, construction of a new political block annex, and the ongoing remodeling of the Ika Ika Oqua Market.
According to the statement, the market modernization project is about 89 per cent completed, while renovation of the council’s political and administrative buildings has reached about 99 per cent completion.
The council further stated that electricity had been restored to the council secretariat after a vandalised transformer was repaired and a generating set procured, while the council borehole had also been fixed to restore water supply.
On allegations of salary delays and failure to issue appointment letters to political appointees, the council described the claims as false.
It said all appointees had received their appointment letters and salaries were paid promptly once funds were received.
The council also explained that ongoing market reforms in the area were aimed at improving safety and modernising trading facilities.
According to the statement, traders who previously operated under high-tension electricity lines at Ika Ika Oqua Market were relocated to allow for construction of modern lock-up shops.
Meanwhile, the Secretary of the Calabar Municipal Government, Elder Comrade Iso Bassey Edim, called on residents to remain calm and ignore what he described as politically motivated misinformation.
He also challenged the author of the allegations to a public debate.
“If the person behind the allegations is real, I challenge him to a public debate. I am ready to take him around the projects completed and ongoing in Calabar Municipality,” he said.
