A fresh wave of political realignment is sweeping through Cross River State as influential members of the Peoples Democratic Party are being courted to join the All Progressives Congress following the defection of Senator Agom Jarigbe.
Jarigbe, who represents Cross River North in the Senate, formally joined the APC last week after visiting President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, to announce his defection.
Barely days after the visit, the senator met with the Cross River APC Chairman, Alphonsus Eba, in Calabar, pledging his commitment to strengthen the party’s base in the northern senatorial district.
A statement issued on Wednesday by Jarigbe’s Special Adviser on Media, John Agom, said the senator has since intensified consultations with key PDP stakeholders to persuade them to align with the APC in what observers describe as a significant political shift.
According to the statement, Jarigbe hosted a high-level strategy meeting on Tuesday at Rockview Hotel, Abuja, where prominent PDP figures from the zone deliberated on the region’s future political direction.
“Discussions centred on aligning with what participants described as the progressive direction of the state under Governor Bassey Otu and the reform-driven agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” the statement noted.
Addressing the gathering, Jarigbe explained that his move to the APC was driven by a desire to contribute to national reforms and deliver more dividends of democracy to his constituents.
“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,” he said. “There are better days ahead.”
The meeting, which had in attendance several notable PDP figures, including 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, reportedly ended with a pledge to support Governor Otu’s administration and President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“They further disclosed their intention to officially join the APC alongside Senator Jarigbe after wider consultations,” the statement added, describing the anticipated mass defection as a strategic realignment to strengthen Cross River North’s voice in both state and national politics.
Reacting, the Cross River PDP Chairman, Venatius Ikem, commended Senator Jarigbe’s courage and said the party’s executive would consult widely before determining its next course of action.
Political analysts believe the development could significantly reshape the state’s political landscape ahead of the next election cycle.
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