…says campaign should be issue-based, not personal attacks
By Ike Uchechukwu, Calabar
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Cross River State, Sir Arthur Jarvis Archibong, has challenged anyone with evidence of criminal wrongdoing against him to make it public
Archibong, who spoke with journalists in Calabar on Wednesday, was reacting to a recent advertorial which he alleged was linked to the state government and intended to damage his reputation ahead of the 2027 governorship election
He said his campaign would remain focused on issues and development rather than personal attacks
“I dare anyone with criminal records against me to make same public or forever remain silent
“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
Archibong alleged that the advertorial was an attempt to undermine his political standing across the state’s three senatorial districts
He also criticised the state government’s performance, alleging shortcomings in infrastructure and human development
The PDP candidate further alleged that the advertorial contained accusations against the administration relating to cultism and syncretism
He also alleged that there was a plan to deploy cult groups to cause 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
Insisting that his campaign remained anchored on issues rather than personal attacks, Archibong accused the government and its supporters of engaging in what he described as personality-driven politics
He added that any response from his camp would be in reaction to what he considered provocations from the administration
Reacting to the allegations, the All Progressives Congress (APC) dismissed Archibong’s claim of a planned deployment of cult groups for electoral violence as baseless
The party’s state Publicity Secretary, Emmanuel Inyang, said Cross River residents had remained supportive of the APC because of what he described as the administration’s achievements in the state over the past three years
Inyang described Archibong’s allegations as the position of a party that was not prepared to face the electorate, and urged the PDP to prepare for the 2027 election
He said the PDP should get ready to face what he described as defeat at the polls