In a significant legal victory, Senator Jarigbe Jarigbe of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been officially confirmed as the rightful winner of the highly contested Cross River North Senatorial District election by the Appeal Court in Lagos.
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The court’s ruling, delivered on Saturday, dealt a final blow to the petition filed by former Cross River State governor Ben Ayade, who represented the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The court’s decision solidified Senator Jarigbe’s electoral victory and discredited the claims made by Ayade. In addition to confirming Senator Jarigbe’s win, the court imposed a penalty of N500,000 against the former governor in favor of the incumbent senator.
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This legal battle stemmed from the February election, in which Ayade contested against Senator Jarigbe, representing the PDP. Senator Jarigbe secured 76,145 votes in that election, while Ayade garnered 56,595 votes.
Earlier in September, the Cross River State National Assembly Election Petitions tribunal sitting in Calabar had declared Senator Jarigbe as the rightful winner of the February 25 senatorial district elections. The tribunal dismissed Ayade’s petition, citing its lack of merit.
Justice M. A. Sambo, the Chairman of the Tribunal, emphasized the petitioners’ failure (Ayade and APC) to substantiate their case substantially. The tribunal also highlighted the absence of credible evidence to support allegations of electoral malpractice.
Senator Jarigbe, a seasoned politician with two terms served in the House of Representatives, ascended to the Senate through a bye-election in September 2021, following the unfortunate passing of the late Dr. Rose Okoh.
This legal victory not only reaffirms Senator Jarigbe Jarigbe’s mandate but also underscores the importance of transparent and fair electoral processes in the country.
It serves as a reminder of the Nigerian judiciary’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring justice prevails in electoral disputes.
