A wave of political realignment is underway in Cross River State as key members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are being courted to join the All Progressives Congress (APC) following the defection of Senator Agom Jarigbe.
Jarigbe, who represents Cross River North in the Senate, formally joined the APC last week after meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Days later, he met with the Cross River APC Chairman, Alphonsus Eba, in Calabar, pledging to strengthen the ruling party’s foothold in the northern senatorial district.
In a statement on Wednesday, Jarigbe’s Special Adviser on Media, John Agom, said the senator has since intensified consultations with prominent PDP stakeholders to convince them to align with the APC, describing the development as a major political shift in the state.
According to the statement, Jarigbe hosted a strategic meeting on Tuesday at Rockview Hotel in Abuja, where top PDP figures deliberated on the political future of Cross River North. Discussions reportedly focused on aligning with Governor Bassey Otu’s leadership and President Bola Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” reform agenda.
Speaking at the meeting, Jarigbe said his decision to defect was motivated by a desire to contribute to national reforms and attract more developmental projects to his constituency.
“My people should be assured that joining the ruling party will not stop me from empowering my constituents,” he said. “There are better days ahead.”
Those in attendance included the member representing Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency, Hon. Godwin Offiono; former Secretary to the State Government, Chief Austin Edibe; Prof. Tom Ogar; Dr. DornKlamz Enamhe; Dr. Paul Ibiala; and Hon. Peter Ignodor.
The meeting ended with a collective pledge to support Governor Otu’s administration and Tinubu’s agenda, while some participants hinted at plans to officially join the APC after broader consultations.
Reacting to the development, Cross River PDP Chairman Venatius Ikem praised Jarigbe’s “courageous move” and said the party leadership would meet soon to determine its next steps.
Political observers believe the growing defections could reshape Cross River’s political landscape ahead of the next election cycle.
