Cross River PDP defection gains momentum as Senator Jarigbe and influential leaders shift allegiance to APC, reshaping state’s political landscape
Cross River PDP defection is triggering a fresh wave of political realignment in the state as prominent party members are being courted by the All Progressives Congress (APC) following the recent defection of Senator Agom Jarigbe.
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Jarigbe, representing Cross River North in the Senate, formally joined the APC last week after a visit to President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Shortly after, he met with Cross River APC Chairman Alphonsus Eba in Calabar, pledging to strengthen the party’s base in the northern senatorial district.
According to a statement from Jarigbe’s Special Adviser on Media, John Agom, the senator has intensified consultations with key PDP stakeholders to persuade them to join the APC, a move described by observers as a significant political shift.
Jarigbe hosted a high-level strategy meeting on Tuesday at Rockview Hotel, Abuja, attended by prominent PDP figures from the zone. Discussions focused on aligning with what participants termed the progressive direction under Governor Bassey Otu and the reform-driven agenda of President Tinubu.
Addressing the gathering, Jarigbe assured constituents that joining the ruling party would not impede ongoing empowerment projects in the region. “My people should be assured that defecting to the ruling party will not stop me from empowering the constituents and embarking on people-oriented projects to alleviate the sufferings of the zone. There are better days ahead,” he said.
Notable attendees included Hon. Godwin Offiono, Chief Austin Edibe, Prof. Tom Ogar, Dr. DornKlamz Enamhe, Dr. Paul Ibiala, and Hon. Peter Ignodor. The meeting reportedly concluded with a pledge to support Governor Otu’s administration and President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, with intentions to formally join the APC after wider consultations.
Reacting to the development, Cross River PDP Chairman Venatius Ikem commended Senator Jarigbe’s courage and stated that the party would conduct wide consultations before determining its next course of action.
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Political analysts suggest that this Cross River PDP defection could significantly reshape the state’s political landscape ahead of upcoming elections, signalling a potential consolidation of the APC in the northern senatorial district.
