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Tag: #Jarigbe Agom

  • Jarigbe Facilitates The Construction Of 1.5-Kilometer Road In Mbube, Ogoja LGA

    Jarigbe Facilitates The Construction Of 1.5-Kilometer Road In Mbube, Ogoja LGA

     

    The Senator Representing Cross River Northern Senatorial District, Distinguished Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, DSSRS, has facilitated the construction of a 1.5-kilometer Oboso-Aragbang-Egbe Road in Mbube, Ogoja LGA of the senatorial district.

    The Senator was represented by his Constituency officer Mr. Egar Mgbantul who visited the site earlier today, to ascertain the level of work done so far by the contractor. Mr. Egar who was elated by the quality and pace of work done, commended the contractor for grading and commencement of stone base immediately.

    Elders and youths of the communities lauded the lawmaker for always thinking about his constituents, as they prayed for God’s protection upon him and his family.

    TEAM JARI MEDIA

     

  • Senate Committee Chairman On Gas, Jarigbe Agom Commends Tinubu’s CNG Project

    Senate Committee Chairman On Gas, Jarigbe Agom Commends Tinubu’s CNG Project

     

    Barely 48 hours after President Bola Tinubu announced interventions to cushion the pains of fuel subsidy removal on Nigerians in his speech to mark the country’s 63rd Independence, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Gas, Sen Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, yesterday, urged the President to expeditiously mark his words with action by sending a 2023 Supplementary Budget to kick start the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) project and other projects in the gas value chain, which are cheaper than the use of fossil fuel.

    According to a statement, the Senator also advised against extra budgetary expenditure through ‘Ways and Means,’ saying the legislature was ready to support and bring succour to the people.

    He was quoted to have said this after the Interdenominational Service on Independence Day.

    Jarigbe commended Tinubu on his CNG revolution to power vehicles. He said the noble initiative would ameliorate the hardship of the citizens.

    He also emphasised the need for the President to come up with a supplementary budget to enable the government fund the gas value chain, including the provision for CNG infrastructure and CNG vehicles, adding that the workshops and trainings would need to be funded.

    He advised the President not to embark on extra- budgetary expenditure because it would be inconsistent with the provisions of the law.

    He stated that the National Assembly, under the leadership of the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, was poised to support the lofty programs of his administration, adding that a 2023 supplementary budget would be most appropriate, instead of the ‘Ways and Means’ approach of the previous administration, which is currently a major issue of contention in the Central Bank of Nigeria.

    In his Independence speech, the President had explained that,”At my inauguration, I made important promises about how I would govern this great nation. Among those promises, were pledges to reshape and modernise our economy and to secure the lives, liberty and property of the people.

    “I said that bold reforms were necessary to place our nation on the path of prosperity and growth. On that occasion, I announced the end of the fuel subsidy.”

    In announcing the withdrawal of fuel subsidy, the implementation of the policy came with severe hardship on the people and “I am attuned to the hardships that have come. I have a heart that feels and eyes that see. I wish to explain to you why we must endure this trying moment.

    Rationalising the fuel subsidy withdrawal policy, the president explained that, “Those who sought to perpetuate the fuel subsidy and broken foreign exchange policies are people who would build their family mansion in the middle of a swamp.

    “I am different. I am not a man to erect our national home on a foundation of mud. To endure, our home must be constructed on safe and pleasant ground,” he pointed out.

    He promised that though, “reform may be painful, but it is what greatness and the future require. We now carry the costs of reaching a future Nigeria where the abundance and fruits of the nation are fairly shared among all, not hoarded by a select and greedy few.

    “A Nigeria where hunger, poverty and hardship are pushed into the shadows of an ever fading past.

    “There is no joy in seeing the people of this nation shoulder burdens that should have been shed years ago. I wish today’s difficulties did not exist. But we must endure if we are to reach the good side of our future.

    “We have opened a new chapter in public transportation through the deployment of cheaper, safer CNG buses across the nation. These buses will operate at a fraction of current fuel prices, positively affecting transport fares.

    “New CNG conversions kits will start coming in very soon as all hands are on deck to fast track the usually lengthy procurement process.”

    He said his administration was also setting up training facilities and workshops across the nation to train and provide new opportunities for transport operators and entrepreneurs.

  • Ayade Loses First Round As Tribunal Rules Against Tendering Materials, Documents Outside Original Statement Of Witnesses

    Ayade Loses First Round As Tribunal Rules Against Tendering Materials, Documents Outside Original Statement Of Witnesses

    Dominic OKOH, Calabar

    After what could be described as legal fireworks between Counsels to Sen Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, Mba Ukweni, SAN, and former Governor Ben Ayade, Mike Ozekhome, SAN, at the ongoing National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Calabar, the chairman of the 3-man panel, Justice M. A. Sambo, ruled against witnesses’ moves to tender documents and materials that are not contained in deposed statement.

    Hearings began on Monday on the petition with Suit No. EPT/CR/SEN/02/2023 and Ayade had presented evidence from 310 polling units where he alleged there were electoral discrepancies during the February 25, 2023, election to open up his case.

    Ozekhome, the lead counsel had opened his case presenting over 700 documents and four witnesses so far. In presenting two of the principal witnesses from Bekwarra local government area, he had pleaded that they (the witnesses) be allowed to identify the Voters Register as part of the evidence to prove their case of alleged election malpractice.

    In arguing his case, the counsel to Ayade cited some authourities empowering him to present the documents and materials for identification by the witnesses to buttress their defense.

    But the counsel to Jarigbe, Mba Ukweni, objected vehemently citing some relevant authorities why the Tribunal should not allow such in judicial processes of this magnitude, saying it would amount to abuse of rules of due process.

    After listening to both parties on the matter, the chairman of the panel, Justice M. A. Sambo, ruled against witnesses’ moves to plead or identify documents not deposed in the earlier statement.

    According to him, any fact not pleaded by the witness or document not refereed to at the earlier statement, cannot also be identified or tendered by the same witness from the witness box during examination. He said the panel had not seen anything that would make them depart from the point of law. Other members of the Tribunal are C. Akabua and J. Zululu.

    Speaking to journalists after the proceedings, counsel to Ben Ayade, Mike Ozekhome, SAN, said: “We have tendered INEC documents and so many voter registers that showed there were some imperfections. We have called four witnesses so far to speak to theses documents. But two of them were prevented from identifying their very polling unit result registers after the witnesses have said they are from that polling units.

    “They have also mentioned registers, BVAS and voters. The only thing they said they did not do is that they should have said voters register. And the law is that pleadings are not evidence. It is evidence that cause the flesh that energises or enables pleadings.

    “We believe the ruling was wrong and we are going to challenge it in our final written addresses because a witness of a polling unit was made not to identify the documents and the Tribunal said no you cannot identify them even when it has been tendered. We shall test that.”

    Hailing the ruling, counsel to Senator Jarigbe, Mba Ukweni, SAN, said the matter is progressing and they have called for witnesses and have finished tendering over 700 documents just as his team has cross-examined and would continue to do so till they are done.

    On the issue of Ozekhome insisting on challenging the Tribunal ruling against allowing witnesses to identify their tendered documents, he said: “We are happy for that and we even offered that he asks for stay of proceedings. We would not oppose it. We would encourage him to go on Appeal because it is by testing those decisions that we know the views of Appellate Court on those issues and it guides other lower courts.

    “The point is straight forward. The Tribunal had given it’s decision. The witnesses that were called did not refer to the documents and then the law had already stated very clearly that for you to identify a document from a witness box or tender a document from the witness box, you must have referred to it in your deposition.

    “It is similar to the rule of pleadings. If you don’t plead any fact, you cannot give evidence on it. So if a witness dis not refer to the document at the earlier statement, he cannot also identify the documents from the witness box or tender it even in normal civil procedure. That is the rule.”

  • Ayade vs Jarigbe – What Is The Governor Looking For In The Tribunal? BY AGBA JALINGO

    Ayade vs Jarigbe – What Is The Governor Looking For In The Tribunal? BY AGBA JALINGO

     

    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.

    Yours sincerely,
    Citizen Agba Jalingo.

  • Jarigbe Agom Accuses Police, APC In Cross River Of Blackmail, Calls On IG TO Prosecute Alphonsus Eba

    Jarigbe Agom Accuses Police, APC In Cross River Of Blackmail, Calls On IG TO Prosecute Alphonsus Eba

    Culled From Punch 

    Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe of the Peoples Democratic Party has challenged the Police in Cross River State to be professional in their conduct by not colluding in anyway with members of the All Progressives Congress in their cheap blackmail against him .

    Jarigbe, who defeated governor Ben Ayade of the APC to win the Cross River North senatorial seat, said despite the crushing defeat suffered by APC in Cross River North , members of the party were still all out to tarnish his image and reputation .

    Addressing the press in his office on Monday , the senator asked the Inspector General of Police , Usman Baba Alkali to put a stop to the show of shame going on in Cross River state where losers of election are hell bent on disparaging the winner .

    He specifically called for the arrest of the chairman of APC in the state , Alphonsus Eba. He further demanded a thorough investigation of alleged nefarious activities by DCP Francis Idu and the state’s Police Public Relations Officer , CSP Irene Ugbo .

    He said, “The Independent National Electoral Commission declared my party, the Peoples Democratic Party, and my humble self, winner of the Cross River North Senatorial District Elections held on the 25th of February, 2023.

    “We emerged victorious in that election with 76, 145 votes; while the candidate of the All Progressive Congress, APC, the sitting governor of Cross River state, H. E. Benedict Ayade, came second with 56, 595 votes. A clear difference of 19,550 votes. Our people made it abundantly clear that I was their choice.

    “But surprisingly , one DCP Francis Idu, in the Cross River State Police Headquarters, who is under the patronage of the state government and their lackeys is abusing his office by indulging Alphonsus Eba in his psychotic odyssey of writing frivolous petitions against me and other respected indigenes of Cross river North.”

    The lawmaker declared that it is a wonder of the criminal world for a man who was caught on camera disrupting collation of results at an Independent National Electoral Commission collation centre to turn around and start writing frivolous petitions against us, when he should be facing charges for electoral offences.

    According to him, “The height of this shameless alliance with Alphonsus Eba and these shameless elements in the Police, is a video my attention was drawn to, where some persons were paraded by the police in Cross River state for allegedly perpetrating electoral violence in the just concluded presidential and National Assembly elections held on the 25th of February, 2023.”

  • Sen Jarigbe Agom Defeats Gov Ben Ayade, Wins Cross River Northern Senatorial District

    Sen Jarigbe Agom Defeats Gov Ben Ayade, Wins Cross River Northern Senatorial District

    Culled From CrossRiverWatch 

    Sen. Jarigbe Agom has been declared winner of the Saturday’s senatorial elections in northern Cross River State.

    He was declared winner moments ago by the returning officer, Dr. Emmanuel Emanghe after polling 76,145 votes to beat his closest rival and incumbent Governor, Sen. Benedict Ayade of the All Progressives Congress who scored 56,595 votes.

    The difference between the PDP and APC is 19,550 votes.

    Sen. Agom polled over 51 percent of the 146,417 votes cast across the five Local Government Areas of Bekwara, Obanliku, Obudu, Ogoja, and Yala.

    A total of 148,845 out of the 504,987 registered voters were accredited for the keenly contested polls held across 51 wards of the five Local Government Areas.

    The Labor Party candidate polled 6,188 while that of the People Redemption Party clinched 244. Also, the candidate of the African Democratic Congress clinched 650 while that of the New Nigerian People’s Party garnered 384. Their counterpart in the Allied People’s Movement polled 338 votes.

    Furthermore, the Action Alliance candidate clinched 91 votes with the Social Democratic Party scoring 58 while the Young Progressives Party candidate polled the least votes, 105.

  • Defection Hits APC As Sen Jarigbe Agom Receives Chieftaincy Title In Bekwarra

    Defection Hits APC As Sen Jarigbe Agom Receives Chieftaincy Title In Bekwarra

     

    In recognition, acknowledgement and appreciation of SenJarigbe’s selfless service to humanity, the traditional rulers Council of Afrike Ochagbe, conferred the lawmaker with the Chieftaincy title, Oti’ Inom 1 of Afrike (Chief of Riches).

    The conferment of the title took place at Afrike, as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), concluded its ward-to-ward campaign tour in Bekwarra LGA with visits to Ugboro, Ibiaragidi, Afrike Ochagbe, Afrike Okpeche and Ukpah Wards of the LGA.

    Leading the campaign, the PDP candidate for Cross River North Senatorial District, Sen Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe in company of Amb Peter Akpanke, Bekwarra/Obudu/Obanliku House of Representatives candidate, Barr Omang Charles Omang, Bekwarra State Constituency candidate and other party stalwarts, took the party’s message of hope to the people.

    Reacting to the honor done him, the law maker thanked the people of Afrike and pledged commitment to delivering the needed services to his people.

    Other candidates of the party, took turns to address the enthusiastic supporters and constituents who trooped out in their numbers to receive the party, promising to attract dividends of democracy to the LGA.

    The event also witnessed mass defection from APC to the PDP. The defectors were led by a Member of the Board of the College of Health Technology, Calabar, Mrs Comfort Abibang.

    The Cross River State Chairman of the PDP, Barr, Vena Ikem, led other cheiftains of the party to the event including; Chief Austine Austin Edibe, Barr Godwin Offiono, Barr,Dorncklaimz Enamhe Dr Achu Olayi, Hon Rita Agbo Ayim , Dr Martins Achadu, Chief Ashakia, Chief John Ukwu, Barr Tim Ekawu, Hon. Adida Agabi, Hon Charles Eneji Prof Odey Osha, Hon. Ignatius Ejim, Mr Pekus, Barr DonHenry Akwaji, Hon David Obule, Dr Emmanuel Ogar Aimee Idoko amongst others.

    CRN CAMPAIGN MEDIA.

  • Mbube Nation Declares Support For PDP Candidates, Commends Sen Jarigbe Agom For Facilitating Projects

    Mbube Nation Declares Support For PDP Candidates, Commends Sen Jarigbe Agom For Facilitating Projects

     

    Traditional leaders, political elites and the entire people of Mbube nation, Ogoja Local Government Area of Cross River state has declared total support for Sen Prof Sandy Ojang Onor Campaign Group, Sen Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, Barr Godwin Offiono, Hon Rita Agbo Ayim, Barr. Omang Charles Omang, Dr Ebiala, and Dr Martins Achadu in the forthcoming general elections.

    The four (4) wards of Mbube which include Mbube East 1 & 2 and Mbube West 1 & 2, reaffirmed their support today for the PDP as the party’s candidates in Cross River North Senatorial District, visited the various wards as part of the party’s ongoing ward-ward tour.

    During the various interactions, the Traditional rulers, on behalf of the people, thanked Sen Jarigbe for executing numerous projects in various communities within the wards and influencing many more into the 2023 budget.

    Sen. Jarigbe pledged to sustain the momentum when re-elected. He urged the people to give the PDP candidates running for various positions the needed support for a holistic representation.

    Barr. Godwin Offiono, the PDP House of Representatives candidates for Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency alongside former Ogoja council Chair and House of Assembly Candidate, Hon Rita Agbo Ayim, in their remarks, thanked the people for the support towards “good over evil”. They urged them to trust the PDP candidates with their mandate to consolidate on the good works of Sen Jarigbe and the party in general.

    HRM Mathias Odey Abua- Paramount Ruler of Ogoja LGA, Chief Godwin Inyang, Sec Mbube Traditional Rulers Council, Barr Vena Ikem, Chief Austin Edibe, Barr Paul Ishabor, DG Reclaim Cross River, Mr Roy Jones Akpak, Mr John George, PDP Cross River State Assistant Youth Leader (North), Hon Agabi Jacobs, Hon Emma Odidi, Mr Atieo, Madam Martha Abang, Dr Francis Bullem, Hon Joe Eweh, PDP Ward excos, and other party stakeholders were in attendance.

    CRN CAMPAIGN MEDIA

     

  • C’River PDP Northern Stakeholders Berates Ayade Over Wike Visit

    C’River PDP Northern Stakeholders Berates Ayade Over Wike Visit

    BY Judex Okoro, Sunnewsonline

    The Director General of Sen Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe Campaign Organisation, Dr Don Cklaimz Enamhe, and Cross River North People’s Democratic Party (PDP) stalwarts have blasted Governor Ben Ayade over his visit to Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State.

    They characterised Ayade’s as not only a mark of desperation to return to the Senate but a calculated attempt to woo Wike over to his side ahead of the 2023 polls.

    Since late yesterday, a group picture of Governors Ben Ayade, Dave Umahi and Wike during their visit to Port Harcourt have been trending, fuelling speculations that Ayade, the APC north senatorial candidate, is up to some political gimmicks.

    Describing such moves as the last kick of a dying horse, the Director-General of Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe Campaign Organisation, Dr Don Cklaimz Enamhe, stated that it is possible that Governor Ayade had discreetly gone there to negotiate for his senate seat not minding his public utterances against Wike.

    Enamhe recalled that on several occasions the Cross River governor has, since his defection to All Progressives Congress (APC) in June 2020, lampooned the state chapter of PDP and its leadership of being a surrogate to the Rivers governor just as he has declared total war against the party.

    The university of Calabar don, also alleged that Ayade is discreetly and desperately making moves to reach out to the PDP’s presidential candidate, Alh. Atiku Abubakar, to negotiate his way back to the Upper Legislative Chamber, adding that Jarigbe’s campaign organisation is keeping a tab and would do everything possible to scuttle any further attempt to undermine north’s interest in 2023.

    Enamhe, a foundation member of PDP, said: “Going by past antecedents, Governor Ayade has no right to visit Governor Wike because he (Ayade) has been making comments deriding Wike and PDP in the state.

    “It seems he has eaten his vomit or shall we say he is also trying to mortgage the state to Rivers as he accused the party a couple of months back while soliciting support for APC.

    “However we assure all that all discreet moves by Ayade would come to nought because we have declared total and unalloyed support for Sen. Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe. Besides, the north knows their true sons and leaders and we would speak during the general elections as no amount of tricks and genuflecting would change our focus to re-elect Jarigbe.”

    Wondering what took Ayade to Rivers, four months to the general election, a party stalwart from Yala, Chief Emmanuel Ogbeche, 53, said the party leaders in the north would meet to review Ayade’s recent moves, cautioning the national leadership of PDP to be wary of hobnobbing with politicians from Cross River engaging in anti-party activities.

    On his part, Ntufam Justine Abang, from the Ogoja chapter, expresses surprise that after Ayade had declared PDP dead in the state and that APC would sweep all the seats, he surreptitiously visited Wike, a PDP governor, and his arch-enemy, to curry favour.

    Describing Governor Wike as an old political war horse, Abang said the visit would not change the good works Rivers governor is doing to ensure the survival of the PDP in Cross River and assured that the party would deliver Sen. Jarigbe and other PDP candidates in the north.

  • Jarigbe Agom Supports Centre For Visually Handicapped, Obudu Following The Withdrawal Of Subvention From C’River State Govt

    Jarigbe Agom Supports Centre For Visually Handicapped, Obudu Following The Withdrawal Of Subvention From C’River State Govt

    The Senator representing Cross River Northern Senatorial District, Sen Jarigbe Agom, has donated the sum of 1,000,000 ( One million Naira) in support of the Center for the visually handicapped, popularly known as the St Joseph Centre For The Visually Handicapped, Obudu.

    The gesture came as his attention was drawn to the plight of this School which recently came under severe hardship following the withdrawal of subvention to the School by Gov Ayade. To make matters worse, the school was recently burgled by criminals who made away with all the mattresses in the student’s hostel leaving them to sleep on bare floors.

    The deplorable situation became so bad that the head of the school, Rev Sister Janet-Maria Okorie, said they were considering shutting down the institution.

    St. Joseph Center for the visually handicapped was established by the Sisters of St. Mary Medical Mission of the Roman Catholic Church since the 1970s and has catered to generations of handicapped students over decades.

    Many have gone from the school to lead very successful academic careers with some of them presently lecturing in higher institutions including the University of Calabar, Cross River State.

    Some of them have also gained employment in various areas of human endeavour making them useful to themselves, their families and society instead of hawking their disabilities on the streets.

    The school celebrated its 50 years of existence in May this year, teaches braille and crafts in addition to normal academic subjects and remains a leading light in the Obudu community and it’s environs.

    The head of Centre, Rev Sr Jane Maria, expressed profound appreciation to Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe for his uncommon leadership and concern for the plight of the less privileged in society.

    She used the opportunity to call on spirited individuals both in public Service and private businesses to emulate Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe as to lift the less privileged from their disabilities so that they can lead useful lives as they are also God’s creatures and need to be catered for.