The Cross River Government has given the Peoples Democratic Party PDP 48 hours to retract a press release it described as false and apologise to Governor Bassey Otu or face possible legal action.

The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Pastor Ekpenyong Cobham, issued the ultimatum while addressing journalists in Calabar.

Cobham said the government was responding to a publication attributed to Sir Arthur Jarvis Archibong, a factional governorship candidate of the PDP, alleging that Governor Otu had directed the Paramount Ruler of Calabar South not to receive him.

The commissioner described the allegation as false, malicious and capable of damaging the reputation of the governor and his administration.

He said the paramount ruler had denied receiving any such directive from the governor.

According to Cobham, Archibong subsequently apologised and directed that the press release be withdrawn after the issue was brought to his attention.

The commissioner questioned why the publication would have been taken down and an apology issued if the allegation were factual.

Cobham said the state government had evidence of the apology and expected the retraction and an unreserved apology to be published in national newspapers within 48 hours.

He warned that failure to comply could compel the Attorney-General of the state to institute legal proceedings against those responsible for the publication.

The commissioner also denied allegations that the governor had directed government officials or traditional rulers to obstruct opposition politicians from campaigning in the state.

He urged journalists and members of the public to verify claims before publishing or circulating them, particularly during the political period.

Cobham further addressed a recent disruption at a PDP meeting in Calabar, denying claims that members of the All Progressives Congress APC were responsible for the incident.

He described the incident as an internal disagreement among PDP members and urged political actors to avoid actions or statements capable of escalating tensions in the state.

The commissioner also cautioned against the circulation of manipulated and artificial intelligence-generated materials, assuring political parties that lawful political activities would be allowed across the state.