I dare anyone with evidence against me to speak up — Jarvis

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…says campaign should be issue-based, not personal attacks

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By Ike Uchechukwu, Calabar

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Cross River State, Sir Arthur Jarvis Archibong, has challenged anyone with evidence of criminal wrongdoing against him to make it public.

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Archibong, who spoke with journalists in Calabar on Wednesday, was reacting to a recent advertorial which he alleged was linked to the state government and intended to damage his reputation ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

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He said his campaign would remain focused on issues and development rather than personal attacks.

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

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

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

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Archibong alleged that the advertorial was an attempt to undermine his political standing across the state’s three senatorial districts.

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He also criticised the state government’s performance, alleging shortcomings in infrastructure and human development.

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The PDP candidate further alleged that the advertorial contained accusations against the administration relating to cultism and syncretism.

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He also alleged that there was a plan to deploy cult groups to cause violence before, during and after the 2027 elections.

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“We are aware that this government is planning unprecedented violence through cultism before, during, and after elections, but we are not afraid because God is our shield and buckler,” he said.

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Insisting that his campaign remained anchored on issues rather than personal attacks, Archibong accused the government and its supporters of engaging in what he described as personality-driven politics.

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He added that any response from his camp would be in reaction to what he considered provocations from the administration.

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Reacting to the allegations, the All Progressives Congress (APC) dismissed Archibong’s claim of a planned deployment of cult groups for electoral violence as baseless.

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The party’s state Publicity Secretary, Emmanuel Inyang, said Cross River residents had remained supportive of the APC because of what he described as the administration’s achievements in the state over the past three years.

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Inyang described Archibong’s allegations as the position of a party that was not prepared to face the electorate, and urged the PDP to prepare for the 2027 election.

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He said the PDP should get ready to face what he described as defeat at the polls.

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