Sen. Jarigbe Leads PDP To Win All Legislative Seats in C'River North By-Elections, Promises Constituents More Dividends of Democracy

By Ndifreke Bassey

Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, representing Cross River North Senatorial district, has recorded another political victory as Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won all the re -run elections in Obanliku and Yala II state constituencies in Northern part of the state.

Recall that Jarigbe had also led PDP to massive victory in National and State Houses of Assembly elections held in February 25 and March 18, 2023 respectively by clinching the senatorial ticket, two House of Representatives seats and four states house of assmebly seats in the north senatorial zone.

Dissatisfied by the outcome, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Governor Ben Ayade challenged the victories at the election Tribunal up to the Supreme Court where Jarigbe still defeated APC and Ayade, but lost Ogoja state assembly seat while the Appeal Court ordered for a re-run in Obanliku and Yala II state constituencies.

However, at the Saturday, February 3, 2024 re-run, Jarigbe and his team demonstrated its popularity on the field by still emerging victorious at the polls as PDP clinched back their mandates in Obanliku and Yala II state constituencies.

At the Obanliku re-run, Ashakia Pius (PDP) polled 275 votes in the two polling units to take his total tally to 10,587 votes while Sunday Achunekang (APC), who had challenged Ashakia’s election in 2023, scored 243 votes to take his total tally to 10,427 votes.

Ashakia was declared winner by the returning officer, Dr. Blessing Anyalebechi.

At Yala II re-run, Dr. Martins Achadu of PDP polled 9,168 votes to defeat Mrs. Cynthia Nkassi of APC, who polled 8,647 votes. Achadu of PDP was declared winner by the returning officer, Mrs. Dorathy Inyang.

In a telephone interview, Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe said: "We have once again shown that PDP remains the dominant party in my senatorial zone just as the people have demonstrated their confidence in us by voting for our candidates at the re-run polls, an indication that we are on ground.

"I enjoin the winners to always imbibe the culture of working together for the benefit of our people who have freely given us their mandates in trust as well as continue to fulfil electoral promises to our constituents.

"Once again. I commend the people of the north for always standing with us in time as this. We shall not disappoint but would always endeavour to meet your needs within the available limited resources."