Tribunal: ‘Even if the election is conducted ten times, Jarigbe will still win you’ — Agba Jalingo mocks Ayade 

Tribunal: ‘Even if the election is conducted ten times, Jarigbe will still win you’ — Agba Jalingo mocks Ayade 

 

 

A Nigerian investigative journalist and human rights activist, Agba Jalingo, has advised Governor Ben Ayade to drop the lawsuit he filed at the election petition tribunal against Jarigbe Agom to avoid facing more embarrassment.

 

 

Jalingo, in a post made on his official Facebook account, questioned Ayade about what he is looking for in the tribunal.

 

News Week Nigeria had earlier reported that Jarigbe Agom, the senator-elect for Cross River North Senatorial District, won the election under the platform of the PDP after ppolling 76,145 votes to defeat his APC opponent Gov. Ben Ayade who scored 56,595 votes.

 

Agba Jalingo wrote:

 

“In 2011, you ran for Cross River North Senatorial seat and got it on a plater of gold against more popular candidates.”

 

“Both from your PDP primaries against more popular Paul Adah (now late), and Musa Adede, who was incumbent, as well as the opposition APP and ACN then, there were accusations of rampant rigging in your favor, yet no one took you to the tribunal.”

 

“In 2015, the governorship ticket of your party then, PDP was taken in broad day light from Jedy Agba and handed to you in an arrangee primaries at the U.J Esuene stadium in Calabar. You didn’t even print a single billboard but you became governor. Both Jedy Agba and Odey Ochicha of the APC, said they won’t go to the tribunal since the governorship had gone to northern Cross River. Infact, Odey Ochicha was even denied several appointments by his party at the center because he refused to take you to the tribunal.”

 

 

“In 2019, you ran for second term as Governor and after the election, Senator Owan Enoh, your challenger in APC went to the tribunal and later withdrew the petition and committed to supporting your government to enable you concentrate.”

 

“In 2023, your greed wouldn’t allow you retire in peace. You sought to return to the Senate a second time as retirement. Having failed as Governor for eight years, your people rejected you abysmally in an election that has been adjudged by the people as the most peaceful, transparent and violence free, in Cross River North since 1999, and you are up and about talking about going to the tribunal with Senator Jarigbe?”

 

“Do you really think the salt is tasty only in one side of the mouth? What do you really think you did specially do deserve all the benefits of doubt that people have been giving you? Do you really think if everyone that has a grouse with you decide to sue you after you lose your immunity in 34 days, you will have even a minute sleep in a day or even the resources to pay your lawyers?”

 

“Even if that election is conducted ten times, Senator Jarigbe will still win you. He will also beat you in court like he did to you and your stooge, caretaker Senator. My only worry is that, the tribunal will distract his attention and make him waste money he would have used to continue penetrating our villages with projects, on paying lawyers.”

 

“If at any point you used to be heavyweight, it was before. You are now light weight and you need to see that on time, make a retreat before you face more embarrassing moments.”

 

“You didn’t come from heaven with a seat in government. Everyone leaves when it is time and your time is now. I am talking to my Governor, Senator Ben Ayade. A word is enough for the wise. I don’t know if you are still wise sir.”