CALABAR, Nigeria — Senator Jarigbe Jarigbe of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, representing Cross River Northern Senatorial District, emerged victorious over former Governor Ben Ayade of the All Progressives Congress, APC, at the Election Petition Tribunal in Calabar.
The judgment was delivered on Saturday by a three-man tribunal of justices, led by Justice Mohammed Sambo.
In a unanimous decision, Justice Sambo and his colleagues upheld Senator Jarigbe’s February 25, 2023, election win.
Justice Sambo noted that the allegations of electoral malpractice and irregularities presented by Ayade’s counsel were not substantiated with documentary evidence.
Former Governor Ayade had approached the tribunal to contest the senatorial election result, citing alleged malpractices and non-compliance with the electoral act.
Ayade’s legal team also disputed results from approximately 377 polling units involved in the election.
After a detailed examination of evidence and arguments from both sides, lasting over four hours, the tribunal dismissed Ayade’s petition.
The judgment affirmed that there was insufficient evidence to warrant the nullification of the election.
Speaking to journalists after the verdict, Mba Ukweni, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and counsel to Senator Jarigbe, described the tribunal’s decision as a validation of the democratic will of the people in the Cross River Northern Senatorial District.
“The petitioner was rejected at the polls, and there was no reason to seek a different outcome through the tribunal,” Ukweni said.
“The tribunal’s role is not to subvert, but rather to affirm, the will of the electorate. That is exactly what happened today.”
The ruling has been seen as a significant victory for Senator Jarigbe and the PDP in Cross River State, reinforcing the party’s position in the Northern Senatorial District.
It has also added to the series of electoral setbacks faced by the APC, further complicating the party’s efforts to expand its base in the region.
For now, it appears that Senator Jarigbe can focus on his legislative duties, assured that his mandate has received the legal affirmation it needed.
As for former Governor Ayade and the APC, it remains to be seen how they will regroup and strategize for future electoral battles.
