Arthur-Javis Archibong has rejected claims that he holds a criminal record and demanded that anyone with proof publish it, escalating a pre-election clash that he says is meant to blunt his popularity ahead of the 2027 governorship contest in Cross River State.
Speaking to journalists in Calabar, the Peoples Democratic Party nominee described a recent advertorial that linked him to criminality as an orchestrated effort by the state government to damage his reputation. He challenged critics to produce documentary evidence and insisted he has a clean legal record. "I have no criminal records on any matter, anywhere in Nigeria," he said.
Archibong framed the advert as a reaction to what he called growing support across the state's three senatorial districts. He accused the current administration of resorting to personal attacks after losing ground to his campaign, and said the people of Cross River were determined to remove what he characterised as chronic maladministration from the Government House in 2027.
The candidate also alleged the state government was disguising itself as pious while being "clothed in wickedness, syncretism and cultism," and warned that those behind the advertorial were preparing to use cult-related violence to disrupt the election period. He said his campaign had so far emphasised issue-based politics, but signalled that further provocations would draw a response.
The All Progressives Congress in Cross River dismissed Archibong's accusations. Emmanuel Inyang, the party's state publicity secretary, told reporters that APC retains popular backing because of governance delivered over the past three years and characterised the PDP's claims as the work of a party not prepared to present itself to voters. He urged the PDP to prepare for defeat.
The dispute leaves both parties trading public accusations as the 2027 cycle approaches, with Archibong insisting on transparency by calling for any evidence of wrongdoing to be made public and the APC rejecting the allegations while pointing to its record in office. How the controversy affects voter sentiment in Cross River will be tested as campaigns intensify ahead of next year.
