Prof. Ben Ayade, a former governor of Cross River State, has argued before the Election Petition Tribunal in Calabar that Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe’s election as the senator for Cross River North should be invalidated.
To support his claim that there were electoral irregularities at the election on February 25, 2023, Ayade provided proof from 310 polling places.
The EPT/CR/SEN/02/2023 petition is being heard by the tribunal, which is presided over by Justice M. A. Sambo and includes A. C. Akabua and J. Zululu as members, starting on Monday.
Senator Jarigbe was represented by Mba Ukweni, SAN, and five additional lawyers; in contrast, Ayade is represented by ten additional attorneys and three senior advocates, namely Mike Ozekhome, Abeni Mohammed, and Murtala Abdul Rasheed.
Ayade asserted that there were numerous electoral irregularities in each of the five local governments that make up the Cross River North senatorial district.
The wards of Abuochiche, Afrike Ochagbe, Ibiaragidi, Nyanya, Otukpo, Ugboro, and Bishiri were mentioned as having evidence.
Exhibits from the Begiaba/Begiaka, Boche, Obudu Urban 2, Utugwang Central, and Utugwang North wards were displayed at Obudu by the former governor.
He presented data from the wards of Ochimofana, Gabu, Mfuma/Ntrigom, Okuku, Okpoma, Wanihem, Wanikade, Wanokom, and Yahe in Yala LGA.
He presented data from Ekajuk 1, Ekajuk 2, Mbube East, Mbube East 2, Mbube West, Mbube West 1, Mbube West 2, Nkum Ibor, Nkum Irede, Ogoja Urban 1, and Ogoja Urban 2 in Ogoja.
He spoke in Obanlikwu from the Busi ward.
In following proceedings, the witnesses who testified in support of the evidence, which the tribunal adopted as exhibits with numbers, would be subjected to cross-examination.