The Cross River State Government and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate Sir Arthur Jarvis Archibong clashed Friday over allegations of a politically motivated tax crackdown. Speaking to journalists in Calabar, Archibong alleged that the state government was preparing to deploy tax authorities against his institution, Arthur Jarvis University β€” the state's first private university β€” over what he described as fabricated Pay-As-You-Earn tax claims designed to weaken the opposition ahead of the 2027 elections. Archibong said the university, which he noted employs more than 500 people and supports roughly 300 students on scholarships, has never received state government support unlike private universities in other states that receive grants exceeding ₦500 million. "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," he said, adding that repeated requests over the past three years to meet with Governor Bassey Otu have gone unanswered. He linked the alleged tax scrutiny to the recent marking of his running mate Alphonsus Eba's residence in the Water Board Estate for demolition, describing both incidents as part of a broader pattern of pressure on the opposition. "They are coming after me. When they finish with Eba, I'm next," he said. Cross River Commissioner for Information Erasmus Ekpang dismissed the allegations, saying tax payment is a statutory obligation that applies to all citizens and organizations regardless of political affiliation. "Tax payment is obligatory. You cannot benefit from a system for you to come out to say you will not do that which is expected of you. Therefore, Archibong and Eba cannot stop the government. The government must go on," he said, suggesting the PDP candidate and his running mate appeared to have already conceded the 2027 race. The exchange follows the state government's separate denial that the demolition notice targeting Eba's property was politically motivated, with officials saying the exercise forms part of a World Bank-backed water infrastructure rehabilitation project affecting 39 structures built over underground pipelines β€” not Eba's residence alone.