‘You Are a Disaster, Our People Have Rejected You’ — Jarigbe Fires Back at Ayade After Tinubu Blocks Return to Senate 

‘You Are a Disaster, Our People Have Rejected You’ — Jarigbe Fires Back at Ayade After Tinubu Blocks Return to Senate

 

A fresh political clash has erupted in Cross River State as Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe launched a scathing attack on former governor Ben Ayade, accusing him of distorting facts and losing relevance among the people.

 

The outburst follows reports that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu directed Ayade to withdraw from the forthcoming senatorial race in Cross River North, a development that has intensified political tensions in the state.

 

In a statement, Jarigbe dismissed Ayade’s claims of political strength and accused him of misleading the public. He alleged that the former governor had previously shown resentment toward Muslims, citing an instance where Ayade criticized his choice of Hausa traditional attire.

 

Jarigbe further argued that electoral results from previous elections clearly demonstrate Ayade’s declining influence, insisting that his own political base remains firmly rooted in popular support across the district. According to him, his camp secured key legislative seats in Cross River North, while Ayade struggled to maintain dominance even as a sitting governor.

 

The senator also disputed Ayade’s claims of contributing to Tinubu’s 2023 presidential victory, noting that the former governor contested in the primaries and failed to step down. He added that Ayade’s performance in the general election did not deliver the state to the ruling party.

 

Describing Ayade as “entitled” and “out of touch,” Jarigbe said the former governor abandoned the Senate seat in pursuit of governorship ambitions when it was the turn of the northern district to produce a governor. He also alleged that Ayade defected from the Peoples Democratic Party only after losing control of its structure in the state.

 

In one of the most direct remarks, Jarigbe declared that “our people have rejected him,” branding Ayade a “political disaster” who no longer commands electoral value in the region. He commended the leadership of the All Progressives Congress for not imposing Ayade on the people, suggesting that the party had acted in line with grassroots sentiment.

 

The lawmaker also dismissed claims of zoning in the Cross River North senatorial seat, maintaining that his election was based purely on merit and voter support rather than any rotational arrangement.

 

Despite his harsh criticism, Jarigbe called on Ayade to align with the current leadership in the state and contribute to strengthening the party, noting that he had previously supported Ayade’s political rise.

 

The development follows earlier reports that President Tinubu advised Ayade to step aside from the senatorial contest, a move that appears to have deepened divisions within the party in Cross River State

 

The exchange marks the latest episode in an ongoing rivalry between the two politicians, highlighting deep divisions within the ruling party in Cross River State as political realignments ahead of future elections continue to unfold.