OPINION: Setting the Record Straight: Senator Eteng Jonah Williams and the False ₦3.162 Billion Unfunded Budget Claim
BY IROKO IROKO
When truth is silenced, falsehood grows wings. The recent attempt by a faceless group to smear Senator Eteng Jonah Williams, the distinguished representative of Cross River Central Senatorial District, is nothing short of a desperate and ill-conceived propaganda stunt. It exposes the emptiness of those whose only aim is to distract the people from the senator’s visible achievements and the liabilities of their political paymasters.
The unsigned publication claiming to seek “accountability” over an alleged ₦3.162 billion constituency budget in the 2025 Appropriation Bill is nothing but a concoction of lies, driven by envy and ignorance. The authors, in their haste to malign a performing senator, failed to do the most basic thing, verify the facts.
For the record, there is currently no funding for the 2025 budget. The Federal Government is presently running three budget cycles concurrently: The 2024 Appropriation Act, The 2024 Supplementary Budget, and The 2025 Appropriation Bill.
In fact, just a few months ago, the National Assembly extended the capital component of the 2024 budget till December 31, 2025, meaning that funding for the 2025 budget will only commence in 2026.
Had the authors done even minimal research, they would have discovered that Senator Eteng Jonah Williams has so far superintended over just one budget cycle, the 2024 budget, since assuming office in June 2023, well after the 2023 Appropriation Act had been passed.
For clarity, in 2024, the constituency allocation for every senator was ₦220 million. Despite this, Senator Williams has continued to deliver impactful, people-oriented projects worth billions of Naira across Yakurr, Ikom, Obubra, Etung, Boki, and Abi LGAs.
His Project Light Up Central initiative has brought solar-powered streetlights to communities long neglected by successive administrations from Ugep, Ekori, and Idomi in Yakurr, to Abanyom and Ofutop in Ikom, to Wula in Boki and Nsofang in Etung.
These lights are not just illuminating the streets; they are boosting security and stimulating local commerce.
In addition, Senator Williams has completed water projects across several wards in Cross River Central, visible, functional, and verifiable infrastructures serving the people.
Through a comprehensive empowerment programme, in just two years, he has disbursed over ₦159 million in grants, training support, and start-up tools directly impacting farmers, traders, students, and vulnerable groups across the district.
He has also facilitated gainful employment for constituents in Grade ‘A’ federal agencies and supported foreign scholarship awards worth over €40,000 for 12 beneficiaries in 2024 and 15 beneficiaries in 2025.
In the hallowed chambers, Senator Williams has sponsored several bills and motions addressing national and local challenges, showcasing his legislative depth and commitment to development.
His prior experience as Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly has made him one of the most competent and professional legislators from the South-South.
The so-called “₦500 million Mkpani Ring Road” and “missing empowerment projects” exist only in the imagination of detractors. These are ongoing projects executed in phases according to Federal Government fund releases and supervised by relevant agencies. No serious public project is completed overnight development requires process, patience, and planning.
While others chase cameras and controversies, Senator Eteng Williams delivers quietly but steadily. His focus remains on lasting results, not media noise.
Those behind this smear campaign should bury their heads in shame. Their motives are not about accountability but about distraction and desperation. The people of Cross River Central are fully aware of who is working for them and who is working against them.
As 2027 approaches, the choice before Cross River Central is clear: Performance or propaganda Competence or deceit?
Senator Eteng Jonah Williams has earned the trust of his people through service, discipline, and results. The era of political blackmail is over.
Facts not falsehood will decide the next election.
And by every measure of performance, Senator Eteng Jonah Williams stands tall.
IROKO, a concerned Citizen
