Another Blow to PDP as Cross River Senator Jarigbe Joins Ruling APC

Senator Agom Jarigbe, representing Cross River North, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). His move was confirmed on Wednesday night following a visit to President Bola Tinubu at the State House, accompanied by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Kaila Samaila of Bauchi North, who recently joined the ruling party.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Akpabio described Jarigbe’s defection as an act of patriotism, crediting President Tinubu’s economic policies for inspiring the move. “They [Jarigbe and Samaila] are Mr. President’s children and his supporters. The president is the father of the nation and the father of all political parties,” Akpabio said. “They joined the Senate on different political platforms, but because of the president’s transformative policies, especially in revenue generation, they felt compelled to join in building Nigeria. Theirs is nothing but patriotism.”

When asked about his decision to leave the PDP, Jarigbe said his move was motivated by the president’s performance. “The president is really doing well, and I want to come in and support him in delivering the dividends of democracy to our people,” he stated.