In the 2023 presidential election, Jarigbe challenged Ayade’s claim of working for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stating that Ayade contested in the APC presidential primaries and “lost woefully,” and subsequently failed to deliver the state to the party during the general election.
By TheInvestigator
The political rift within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Cross River State has deepened, as Senator Jarigbe Agom has issued a strong rebuttal to recent claims made by former governor, Senator Ben Ayade, describing them as false and misleading.
In a statement released on Monday, Jarigbe accused Ayade of distorting facts surrounding political events in Cross River North, particularly claims relating to electoral performance, party loyalty, and religious inclusiveness.
Responding to Ayade’s assertion of support for Muslim communities, Jarigbe alleged that the former governor had previously shown resentment toward Muslims, citing an instance where Ayade reportedly criticized him for wearing Hausa traditional attire. “A man who admonished me for dressing in Hausa traditional attire… cannot claim to be a lover of Muslims more than me,” he said, adding that Muslim voters in the district supported his candidacy over Ayade.
Jarigbe further disputed Ayade’s account of electoral dominance, insisting that his political bloc had secured key victories in Cross River North even when he was in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). According to him, his camp won the senatorial seat, two House of Representatives positions, and four State Assembly seats, while Ayade, then governor, only secured a single assembly seat in his constituency.
In the 2023 presidential election, Jarigbe challenged Ayade’s claim of working for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stating that Ayade contested in the APC presidential primaries and “lost woefully,” and subsequently failed to deliver the state to the party during the general election.
The senator also addressed Ayade’s defection from the PDP to the APC, alleging it was not driven by ideological alignment but by political displacement after losing control of party structures. He accused the former governor of seeking undue political advantage despite what he described as diminished influence.
Jarigbe dismissed claims of zoning in the Cross River North senatorial seat, maintaining that no such arrangement exists and that his emergence was based on electoral support rather than rotational agreements.
He further criticized Ayade’s leadership record, accusing him of mismanaging state resources during his tenure as governor and arguing that he does not deserve further political opportunities. “Senator Ayade deserves no reward,” Jarigbe stated, adding that the people of Cross River North have rejected his return to elective office.
The senator concluded by urging Ayade to align with the current leadership of the APC in the state and contribute to party unity, rather than engaging in public disputes. He also challenged the former governor to allow open public engagement on his statements, alleging that dissenting voices had been restricted.
The exchange between the two political figures underscores growing tensions within the APC in Cross River State, particularly over the control of party structures and the future of the Cross River North senatorial seat ahead of upcoming elections.