Cross River: ‘Political disaster’ – Jarigbe fires back at Ayade
A sharp political confrontation has emerged in Cross River North, as Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe launched a strong rebuttal against former governor Ben Ayade, accusing him of misrepresenting facts and attempting to reshape his political record. In a statement issued on Monday via his Facebook handle on Friday, Jarigbe dismissed recent remarks attributed to Ayade […] Cross River: ‘Political disaster’ – Jarigbe fires back at Ayade
Black News 
A sharp political confrontation has emerged in Cross River North, as Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe launched a strong rebuttal against former governor Ben Ayade, accusing him of misrepresenting facts and attempting to reshape his political record.
In a statement issued on Monday via his Facebook handle on Friday, Jarigbe dismissed recent remarks attributed to Ayade as misleading, alleging inconsistency in his positions and questioning his relevance in the current political landscape.
The senator also referenced past interactions, claiming that Ayade had previously criticised his choice of traditional attire, which he said contradicts the former governor’s present posture on inclusivity.
He maintained that his support base cuts across religious and ethnic lines, adding that he enjoyed significant backing from Muslim voters across Cross River North.
Jarigbe further challenged Ayade’s political influence in the district, noting that electoral outcomes during Ayade’s tenure as governor did not favour his camp in the senatorial zone.
He stated that his own political structure secured key legislative seats, including representation in the Senate, House of Representatives, and State Assembly.
“We are not political weaklings. We come with real votes because we have worked for our people,” he said.
On the 2023 general elections, Jarigbe disputed Ayade’s claims of contributing to the success of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, pointing out that the former governor contested the presidential primaries and later did not deliver the state during the general polls.
“He lost woefully, refused to step aside, and then lost his state to the opposition. Why is he lying?” Jarigbe queried.
The senator also criticised Ayade’s political decisions, including his move from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDD, to the All Progressives Congress APC, which he described as being driven by circumstances within the party structure rather than principle.
He further accused the former governor of abandoning the senatorial seat in pursuit of personal ambition, despite prevailing expectations regarding political balance in the district.
Jarigbe commended leaders of the All Progressives Congress for resisting what he described as attempts to impose Ayade on the constituency, insisting that the former governor no longer commands grassroots support.
“He remains a political disaster, and our people will never vote for him again,” he said.
The senator also challenged Ayade’s engagement on social media, urging him to allow public feedback to reflect what he described as the true sentiment of constituents.
Addressing the issue of zoning, Jarigbe maintained that there has been no formal arrangement governing the rotation of the Cross River North senatorial seat.
“No matter how you embellish a lie, it will never become the truth,” he added.
Cross River: ‘Political disaster’ – Jarigbe fires back at Ayade
