INEC officials held in Cross River over missing declaration form

Some officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) have been held in the commission’s office in Ogoja, Cross River State over a missing Declaration Form

Trouble started after Sen. Jarigbe Agom-Jarigbe was declared the winner of the Cross River North senatorial district election and could not be issued with the Declaration Form upon demand.

The Ogoja Electoral Officer, Peter Kolo, tried to convince the senator that it would be issued later since the one meant for the senator-elect was not available.

This, however, infuriated supporters of Agom-Jarigbe who demanded that it be issued immediately or no one would be allowed to leave the office premises.

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However, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Prof Gabriel Yomere, while responding through a phone call, said he sent the form along with other electoral materials.

Agom-Jarigbe’s supporters, however, blocked the gate of the compound and said no INEC officials would be allowed to go out until the Declaration Form was presented to the senator-elect.

The issue, which started at about 3:05 a.m., was yet to be sorted out as of the time of filing this report.

Meanwhile, Agom-Jarigbe defeated Cross River State Governor, Ben Ayade of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Cross River North senatorial seat.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP candidate defeated the governor in the election conducted on Saturday with 76,145 votes against 56,595 votes.

The Star