By Seyi Odewale
The Senator representing Cross River North senatorial district in the National Assembly, Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, has recorded another political victory as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won all the re-run elections in Obudu and Yala II state constituencies in North the state.
Recall that Jarigbe had also led PDP to a massive victory in National and State Houses of Assembly elections held on February 25 and March 18, 2023, respectively by clinching the senatorial ticket, two House of Representatives, and four state house 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 a re-run in Obanliku and Yala II state constituencies.
However, at the Saturday, February 3, 2024 re-run, Jarigbe and his team demonstrated their 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 (PDP), who had challenged Ashakia’s election in 2023, scored 243 votes to take his total tally to 10,427 votes.
Ashakia was declared the winner by the returning officer, Dr Blessing Anyalebechi.
At the 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 the winner by the returning officer, Mrs. Dorathy Inyang.
In a telephone interview, 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 the 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 times like this. We shall not disappoint but will always endeavour to meet your needs within the available limited resources.”
Meanwhile, in the Akamkpa/Biase Federal Constituency rerun election, INEC declared APC’s Emil Inyang, as the winner of the bye-election having secured the highest number of votes.
Inyang got 15,930 votes, defeating his closest opponent, Austin Aidam, of the PDP, who secured 12,417 votes.
