The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Cross River State, Arthur-Jarvis Archibong, has denied allegations that he has a criminal record, describing the claim as politically motivated.

Archibong also accused the Cross River State Government of using the allegation to damage his reputation ahead of the 2027 governorship election. The APC, however, rejected his separate allegation that the government was planning to use cult groups to cause electoral violence. (Punch Newspapers)

Key Facts

• Archibong denied having any criminal record and challenged anyone with evidence against him to make it public.
• He said the allegation appeared in an advertorial he alleged was linked to the Cross River State Government.
• The PDP candidate described the publication as an attempt to undermine his political support ahead of 2027.
• Archibong also alleged that cult groups could be used to cause violence before, during and after the election.
• The Cross River APC dismissed that allegation as baseless and accused the PDP of being unprepared for the electorate. (CrossRiverWatch)

What Happened?

Archibong spoke with journalists in Calabar on Wednesday while responding to an advertorial that he said portrayed him as having a criminal record.

He rejected the allegation and challenged anyone who had evidence of criminal wrongdoing against him to make it public.

The PDP candidate said the publication was an attempt to damage his reputation as political activity builds toward the 2027 Cross River governorship election.

Archibong further alleged that the advertorial was connected to the APC-led state government and was intended to slow what he described as his growing acceptance across the state’s three senatorial districts.

He also criticised the performance of the state administration, alleging shortcomings in infrastructure and human development. Those criticisms were part of his broader response to what he described as a political attack. (Punch Newspapers)

Key Players

Arthur-Jarvis Archibong

Archibong is the PDP’s governorship candidate in Cross River State for the 2027 election. He is the politician at the centre of the criminal-record allegation and the subsequent political dispute.

Cross River State Government

Archibong alleged that the state government was behind the advertorial. The supplied reports do not establish the government’s involvement in the publication as an independently verified fact.

Cross River APC

The APC’s state chapter responded to Archibong’s allegation concerning possible electoral violence and rejected it as unfounded.

Emmanuel Inyang

Inyang, the APC’s Publicity Secretary in Cross River State, gave the party’s response to Archibong’s claims. (CrossRiverWatch)

What We Know About The Allegation

Archibong has categorically denied having a criminal record.

He said:

“I have no criminal records on any matter, anywhere in Nigeria.”

He also challenged anyone with evidence of criminal offences against him to make the alleged records public.

However, the supplied reports do not provide independent documentary evidence establishing either that Archibong has a criminal record or that he does not. What is established from the reports is that Archibong publicly denied the allegation and challenged his accusers to provide evidence.

Archibong also alleged that the advertorial was connected to the state government and politically motivated. That remains his allegation, rather than an independently established fact in the material reviewed. (Punch Newspapers)

Stakeholder Positions

Archibong’s Position

Archibong maintains that he has no criminal record and says the allegation is an attempt to damage his reputation before the 2027 election.

He also argues that his campaign has been focused on political issues and development rather than personal attacks.

Beyond the criminal-record dispute, Archibong alleged that the state government was concerned about his growing political support and accused the administration of maladministration.

He further alleged that there were plans to deploy cult groups to cause violence before, during and after the 2027 elections. (CrossRiverWatch)

APC’s Position

The Cross River APC rejected Archibong’s allegation concerning cult-related violence.

The party’s Publicity Secretary, Emmanuel Inyang, described the allegation as unfounded and said it reflected what he characterised as the PDP’s lack of preparedness to face voters.

Inyang also said the people of Cross River remained supportive of the APC because of what he described as the administration’s record in office. (CrossRiverWatch)

Key Quotes From Archibong

Responding to the criminal-record allegation, Archibong said:

“I dare anyone with criminal records against me to make the same public or forever remain silent.”

He added:

“I am an honest, clean and hardworking citizen of Cross River State in particular and Nigeria at large.”

On the political significance of the publication, Archibong alleged that it was an attempt to counter his growing acceptance across the state’s three senatorial districts.

He also alleged that the government was planning violence through cult groups ahead of the election. The allegation was subsequently rejected by the APC. (CrossRiverWatch)

Background To The 2027 Dispute

The controversy comes as political parties and candidates position themselves for the 2027 Cross River governorship election.

Archibong has previously presented his campaign around issues concerning governance and development in the state. Recent reports show that he has also criticised the performance of the incumbent administration while outlining his political agenda. (Tribune Online)

The latest dispute has shifted attention from campaign issues to allegations concerning Archibong’s personal record and competing claims about the conduct of the forthcoming election.

Current Situation

Archibong continues to deny having any criminal record and has challenged anyone with evidence against him to make it public.

He also maintains that the advertorial was politically motivated and connected to efforts to weaken his campaign.

The APC, meanwhile, has rejected his allegation about a planned cult-related violence operation.

Based on the reports reviewed, the two sides therefore remain at odds over the claims, with neither the alleged criminal record nor the alleged plan for electoral violence independently established in the material available. (Punch Newspapers)

Political Implications

The controversy illustrates how personal allegations can become part of political competition as an election approaches.

For Archibong, the response allows him to challenge the allegation directly while presenting it as part of what he describes as an attempt to undermine his campaign.

For the APC, rejecting the allegation about planned cult violence places the party in opposition to Archibong’s account of the political situation in the state.

The dispute also highlights the importance of distinguishing between claims made by political actors and facts independently established through evidence, particularly when allegations concern criminal conduct or potential election-related violence.

Strategic Assessment

The political dispute has expanded beyond the original criminal-record allegation.

Archibong is using the controversy to call for an issue-based campaign and to challenge his opponents to provide evidence for allegations made against him.

At the same time, his own allegations about possible electoral violence have introduced another point of contention, which the APC has rejected.

The competing positions mean that the controversy now encompasses campaign credibility, political attacks, electoral conduct and the broader contest for Cross River Government House in 2027.

Frequently Asked Questions

What allegation did Arthur-Jarvis Archibong deny?

He denied an allegation that he has a criminal record and challenged anyone with evidence of criminal wrongdoing against him to make it public.

What did Archibong say about the advertorial?

He described it as politically motivated and alleged that it was linked to the Cross River State Government and intended to damage his reputation.

Has the criminal-record allegation been independently established?

Not in the material reviewed. Archibong has denied the allegation, while the reports available do not provide independent documentary evidence establishing the claim.

What did Archibong allege about the 2027 election?

He alleged that the state government was planning to use cult groups to cause violence before, during and after the election.

Did the APC accept the allegation about cult groups?

No. Cross River APC Publicity Secretary Emmanuel Inyang dismissed the allegation as unfounded. (CrossRiverWatch)

Why does Archibong say the controversy is politically motivated?

He argues that the allegation is intended to damage his reputation and slow what he describes as growing political support ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

What is the APC’s response to Archibong?

The APC rejected his allegation about planned cult-related violence and accused the PDP of being unprepared to face the electorate. (LEADERSHIP Newspapers)

Neutral Conclusion

Arthur-Jarvis Archibong has publicly rejected the allegation that he has a criminal record and challenged anyone with evidence against him to make it public.

He has also accused the APC-led state government of attempting to undermine his political campaign, while separately alleging a possible cult-related violence plan ahead of the 2027 election.

The APC has rejected that latter allegation, leaving the controversy centred on competing claims between the PDP candidate and the ruling party as political activity intensifies ahead of the Cross River governorship election. (Punch Newspapers)