CALABAR– Stakeholders in Ikom and Boki Federal Constituency of Cross River State have defended the ongoing renovation of public school classrooms facilitated by the member representing the constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Victor Abang, dismissing criticisms linking the projects to the 2027 general elections NEGROIDHAVEN has confirmed.
The stakeholders described the allegations as misleading, politically motivated and based on a poor understanding of the implementation of federal constituency projects.
Their reactions followed a publication by Boki Blog Africa, which questioned the timing and scope of the classroom renovation projects and suggested they were influenced by the approaching general elections.
However, the stakeholders maintained that the projects were captured in the 2025 Appropriation Act following Abang’s intervention to attract federal projects to the constituency.
Speaking on the controversy, a community leader, Freddy Olom, said critics of the projects were either misinformed or deliberately distorting facts about the implementation of the federal budget.
“The schools currently undergoing renovation were captured in the 2025 budget, which the Federal Government is implementing alongside aspects of the 2026 budget. Once a lawmaker succeeds in ensuring that a project is included in the national budget, implementation, funding and supervision become the responsibility of the relevant federal government agency,” he said.
Olom dismissed suggestions that the projects were initiated because of the forthcoming elections.
“Those making such claims are either unaware of how government operates or are deliberately trying to mislead the people. Federal Government projects are verifiable and their implementation follows due process, not political timelines,” he added.
Also speaking, Ndoma Eta described the criticisms as an attempt to undermine the lawmaker’s record, insisting that Abang had facilitated several projects across the constituency since his election into the House of Representatives.
“It is unfortunate that some persons have chosen to ignore the numerous projects facilitated by Hon. Victor Abang and instead focus on spreading negative narratives. The truth is that he has remained committed to attracting meaningful federal interventions that address the needs and aspirations of the people of Ikom and Boki,” Eta said.
He urged residents to verify claims through official budget documents and project sites rather than relying on speculation.
“Our people deserve facts, not propaganda. Every project attracted through the federal budget can be verified. No amount of misinformation can erase the visible impact these interventions are making in our communities,” he added.
The Ward Liaison Officer to the lawmaker, Kate Anoka, also defended the timing of the projects, explaining that renovation of school facilities was typically carried out during the long vacation to avoid disrupting academic activities.
“School renovation projects are usually executed during the long vacation when pupils and teachers are away. This gives contractors enough time and space to work efficiently while ensuring the safety of learners and preventing unnecessary disruption of academic activities,” she said.
Anoka argued that linking the projects to electioneering was unfair and ignored established procedures for implementing public infrastructure projects.
She commended Abang for what she described as his contributions to the constituency, saying his interventions had continued to improve educational infrastructure and other sectors despite being a first-term lawmaker.
The stakeholders called on residents to assess the lawmaker based on verifiable projects and his legislative performance rather than what they described as politically motivated narratives.
