The Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate in Cross River State, Sir Arthur Jarvis Archibong, on Wednesday challenged anyone with proof of criminal wrongdoing against him to make it public, insisting he has no criminal record anywhere in Nigeria.
Archibong spoke to journalists in Calabar while responding to a recent advertorial he alleged was linked to the state government and designed to damage his reputation ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
“I dare anyone with criminal records against me to make same public or forever remain silent,” he said. “I am an honest, clean, and hardworking citizen of Cross River State in particular and Nigeria at large. I have no criminal records on any matter, anywhere in Nigeria.”
He said his campaign would stay focused on issues and development rather than personal attacks. The advertorial, he alleged, was an attempt to weaken his standing across the state’s three senatorial districts.
Archibong also criticised the state government’s record on infrastructure and human development. He further alleged that the advertorial contained accusations against the administration over cultism and syncretism, and claimed the government planned to use cult groups to foment violence before, during and after the 2027 elections.
“We are aware that this government is planning unprecedented violence through cultism before, during, and after elections, but we are not afraid because God is our shield and buckler,” he said.
He accused the government and its supporters of personality-driven politics and said any response from his camp would be a reaction to what he described as provocations from the administration.
The All Progressives Congress dismissed the claim of planned cult-related electoral violence as baseless. State Publicity Secretary Emmanuel Inyang said Cross River residents have remained supportive of the APC because of the administration’s achievements over the past three years.
Inyang described Archibong’s allegations as the stance of a party unprepared to face the electorate and urged the PDP to get ready for the 2027 election, saying the party should prepare for defeat at the polls.
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