The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Cross River State, Arthur Jarvis Archibong, has challenged those accusing him of having a criminal record to produce evidence, as the political contest ahead of the 2027 election intensifies.
Archibong made the demand on Wednesday while addressing journalists in Calabar over an advertorial alleging that he had a criminal history.
The PDP candidate denied the allegation and called on anyone with evidence of criminal wrongdoing against him to make it public.
Archibong also accused the Cross River State Government of allegedly planning to use cult groups to cause violence before, during and after the 2027 election.
He said his campaign would focus on issues affecting residents rather than personal attacks, while accusing the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and its supporters of engaging in what he described as personality politics.
“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 further stated that any response from his political camp would be in reaction to what he described as provocation from the administration.
However, the APC rejected the allegation.
The party’s state publicity secretary, Emmanuel Inyang, described Archibong’s claim as baseless and accused the PDP candidate of making the allegation because the opposition was, in his view, unprepared to face voters.
Inyang also defended the APC-led administration, claiming that residents had continued to support the party because of what he described as good governance over the past three years.
The exchange comes as political activities intensify in Cross River ahead of the 2027 governorship election, with both parties increasingly trading accusations and counter-accusations.
Earlier in August, Archibong accepted a challenge to a public debate with Governor Bassey Otu but insisted that the governor should personally participate.
The allegations concerning plans to deploy cult groups for election-related violence have not been independently established based on the reports reviewed.
