Cross River PDP gov candidate woos APC members

Peoples Democratic Party in Cross River State, Arthur-Jarvis Archibong

The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Cross River State, Arthur Jarvis, has announced plans by the party to launch a Rainbow Coalition, inviting members of the All Progressives Congress and other political parties to join the political movement ahead of the 2027 elections.

Jarvis said the PDP was opening its doors to all political actors willing to work towards rescuing the state, irrespective of their political affiliations.

He spoke on Friday at the inauguration of the newly sworn-in state chairman of the PDP, Dr Francis Bullem, where he declared that the party was in a strong position in the state.

He called on the people of the state to unite behind the party, promising that a PDP government in 2027 would prioritise the interests of all residents.

Jarvis also criticised what he described as a growing culture of political thuggery, alleging that some youths were being paid to attack visitors.

He lamented the declining standards of a state that was once regarded as a model for other states because of its peaceful atmosphere.

“This is a state that we had so much pride for, this is a state that other states use to come and study the peaceful status. Sadly, it has now become a theatre for thuggery,” he said.

“Our young boys are now being given money as employment letters to go and break glasses of even visitors into our state. How low have we descended?”

Meanwhile, the newly inaugurated state chairman, Bullem, pledged to unite the party and strengthen its structures ahead of the 2027 elections.

He described his emergence as coming at a difficult period in the party’s history and called for reconciliation among aggrieved members.

Bullem assured members that his administration would operate with integrity, inclusiveness, and commitment, stressing that there was room for every member to contribute to the party’s rebuilding process.