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From Aniekan Aniekan, Calabar
Cross River State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Sir Arthur Jarvis Archibong, has denied allegations of a criminal record and challenged those behind the claim to produce evidence, as the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) rejected his accusation that it was sponsoring a smear campaign against him.
Archibong, in a statement in Calabar, was reacting to a video circulating online which alleged that he had a criminal record.
He described the video as AI-generated and the allegations as “ludicrous, deliberately mischievous, vicious and artificially concocted.”
“Let me state categorically that I dare anyone with criminal records against me to make 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 said.
Archibong accused agents of the APC-led state government of being behind the video, an allegation the ruling party denied.
The PDP candidate claimed the alleged campaign was aimed at countering what he described as his growing popularity across the three senatorial districts ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
He said his campaign had focused on issues and politics without bitterness, warning against what he described as “damaging personality politics.”
Archibong also criticised the performance of the state government, alleging maladministration and inadequate infrastructural and human development.
Responding, Cross River State APC Publicity Secretary, Emmanuel Inyang, dismissed Archibong’s allegation against the ruling party, saying the PDP was not ready to face the electorate.
