From Judex Okoro, Calabar
The Cross River State People Democratic Party (PDP) and some constituents have hailed the victory of Sen. Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe at Appeal Court, describing it as vindication of the people’s mandate.
The Appeal Court sitting in Lagos yesterday dismissed the appeal of former Governor Ben Ayade and reaffirmed Sen. Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe as the authentic winner of the February 25 National Assembly election for Cross River North senatorial district. The Court dismissed APC Ayade’s petition with cost of N500, 000.
Speaking in an interview, the state chairman of PDP, Venatius Ikem, said the Court of Appeal has indeed done justice to the Cross River North senatorial election and once again restored the confidence of the voters that at last their votes counted.
Ikem said: “It has been a long and tortuous journey from 2020 when we began the battle to rescue our senatorial district from Prof. Ben Ayade.
“We, as a party, are happy that we were able to stand up against injustice and we fought for the right thing to be done amid intimidation, oppression and gangsterism.
“We also commend the wisdom, courage and doggedness of Sen Jarigbe, who remained undaunted and persevered throughout the struggle just as we commend our party faithful and thousands of supporters who stood with us when the battle raged on.
“I, therefore, call on all party members to unite in victory while urging for massive support for Sen. Jarigbe in all his endeavours.”
A constituent and a community leader from Ogoja, Chief Emmanuel Agba, in an emotion-laden voice, said: “We are delighted that our son finally defeated former Governor Ben Ayade at the Appeal Court. It is a sign that God wants an Ogoja man to go to Senate after several years of denials by our brothers from other local government areas that make up the district.
“By this victory, Senator Jarigbe has made history as the first Ogoja son to represent Cross River North senatorial district almost after 50 years. We gave him our mandate and the Courts have officially stamped and sealed it.”
Commending the Appeal Panel for standing for justice at this crucial stage, a chieftain of PDP and former Rep member, representing Ogoja/Yala federal constituency, Hon Peter Igbodor, said Jarigbe’s victory is a symbol of unity among his constituents and an indication that the era of impunity is gone in Cross River north politics.
Igbodor said: “We stood with Jarigbe and cast our votes on the day of election. But somebody wanted it through the back door. We are happy that the courts from the Tribunal to Appeal have endorsed him as the people’s senator.”
On his part, the former Director General of Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe Campaign Organisation, Ntol Dorn Cklaimz Enamhe, said: “We went to war, fought the battle and we won at last. The election showed that the people spoke with one voice while the Court just reaffirmed our decision.
“We commend all for the success and wish Sen. Jarigbe well as he journeys into the upper chamber unperturbed.”