….says exercise didnt reflect the choice of the people

By Ike Uchechukwu, CALABAR

Senator representing Nothern Senatorial District of Cross River at the National Assembly, Sen Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe has taken a swipe at the state government over the just concluded Coincil polls stressing that the process was undemocratic and didn’t reflect the choice of the people.

Sen Jarigbe in a personally signed statement made available to Vanguard, described the exercise as farcical, undemocratic alleging that the process was hijacked by the ruling All Progressives Congress.

He maintained that the case of Cross River case was not an isolated one, adding that the legal framework empowering State Independent Electoral Commissions was fundamentally flawed.

His words :”I make this Statement not just as a Senator but as a voice for true Democracy, disturbed and disappointed by the events that transpired on November 2, 2024, in what was purported to be Local Government Elections across Cross River State.

“The process, hijacked by the APC-led government, was manipulated to ensure a predetermined outcome in favor of APC candidates.

“This unfortunate episode is a symptom of a broader disease plaguing our democratic institutions nationwide, revealing a troubling pattern that must be confronted if we are to protect the integrity of our democracy.What occurred in Cross River State is not an isolated incident.

“Across Nigeria, we see a consistent trend where State Governments control electoral outcomes, leaving little room for other parties to participate meaningfully or to garner lawful votes in Local Government elections.

“Governors in various States appoint loyalists to their respective State Independent Electoral Commissions, only to hand them a list of their party’s candidates, who are then simply announced as winners.

“This is an affront to democracy, as it suppresses competition, disenfranchises the electorate, and erodes the very essence of a free and fair electoral process.

“The legal framework empowering State Independent Electoral Commissions is fundamentally flawed. The National Assembly must address this by enacting a law that genuinely supports democracy at the local level.

” If left unchanged, our democracy stands on the edge of a precipice, with the risk of a slide into governance dictated by personal interests rather than by the will of the people.

In light of the recent Supreme Court judgment on Local Government financial autonomy, I fully align myself with its principles.

‘However, financial autonomy alone is insufficient if the conduct of Local Government elections remains under the absolute control of those who fund the process,” he stated.

According to him ” As the saying goes, “He who pays the piper calls the tune.” For true autonomy to be realized, election conduct must be free from the undue influence of State Governments.

I urge all our supporters not to lose heart. We remain steadfast in our commitment to defending democracy, to making our voices heard, and to ensuring that the rights of every Cross Riverian, every Nigerian, are respected.

“As a country, we face a clear choice between descending into dictatorship or preserving our democracy. It is imperative that we pass the necessary laws to shield our democratic processes, or we risk further erosion of our values and principles,” he said.