2027: C’River PDP candidate denies criminal record allegation

The Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate in Cross River State, Arthur-Javis Archibong, has denied allegations of having criminal records, describing it as a “ludicrous, mischievous and artificially concocted advertorial” sponsored by the Cross River State Government.

Speaking with journalists in Calabar on Wednesday, Archibong was responding to a recent advertorial which he said questioned his character and alleged that he had a criminal record.

He dismissed the allegation, challenging anyone with evidence of a criminal record against him to make it public.

He said, “My attention has been drawn to a ludicrous, deliberately mischievous, vicious and artificially concocted advertorial clearly emanating from the Cross River State Government. The plain summary of the advertorial is that I, Sir Arthur-Jarvis Archibong, have criminal records.

“Let me state categorically that I dare anyone with criminal records against me to make the 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 stated.

Archibong alleged that the advertorial was a desperate attempt by the state government to push back on his growing popularity ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“The advertorial is clearly a desperate attempt by this APC state government to push back on the overwhelming reality that our soaring popularity and acceptance by the broad generality of Cross Riverians across the three senatorial zones has completely obliterated any chance of their returning to Government House in 2027.”

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According to him, the overwhelming acceptance he had been enjoying across the three senatorial districts of the state had “completely obliterated any chance of their returning to Government House in 2027.”

He added, “The people of Cross River State are fully resolved to kick them out of office owing to chronic maladministration that has generated no concrete infrastructural or human development. They must begin to pack their bags now.”

He further accused the current administration of being clothed in “wickedness, syncretism and cultism” while masquerading as a God-fearing government, alleging plans to unleash violence through cultism before, during and after the 2027 elections.

Archibong warned that the government had fired the first salvo of personality attacks, noting that his camp had hitherto focused on issue-based politics.

“Whatever response they now get would be a natural and logical consequence of this wicked salvo. He who sows the wind reaps the whirlwind,” he said.

When contacted in a telephone interview, the All Progressives Congress in the state has dismissed Archibong’s allegation of plans to use cultists to cause mayhem ahead of 2027.

The state Publicity Secretary of the party, Emmanuel Inyang, said the people remained with the APC because of good governance delivered in the past three years, saying the allegations stemmed from a party not accepted by the people in the state.

“The allegation is from a party that is not prepared to face the people, and we can only advise them to get ready to face the ultimate defeat that lies ahead of them,” Inyang said.