Jarigbe: Exodus Looms as PDP Cross River North Stakeholders Declare Support for Tinubu, Gov Otu
From Judex OKORO
A sweeping political shift is gathering momentum in Cross River North senatorial district, as influential stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have signaled plans to defect en masse to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in solidarity with Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe.
Recall that on October 22, 2025 Sen. Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, Senator representing Cross River North, had on October 22, 2025 visited Aso Rock Villa to officially inform President Bola Tinubu of his defection to the ruling party.
Jarigbe followed it up with a visit to Cross River State chairman of APC, Alphonsus Eba, Esq, also notifying him of his defection and readiness to work with the leadership to reposition the party in the northern senatorial district.
And in continuation of his consultation, Jarigbe convened a strategic meeting in Abuja with top PDP figures from the zone to review the political landscape and chart a new direction.
The move, if finalized, is expected to significantly alter the political equation in the northern senatorial zone ahead of the next election cycle.
Discussions at the meeting held at in ROCKVIEW Hotel, Abuja on Tuesday, reportedly centered 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.
Speaking at the meeting, Jarigbe siad he moved over to APC to assist President Bola Tinubu in repositioning the country for greater heights.
He said defecting to the ruling party will not stop him from empowering the constituents and embarking on people-oriented projects and to alleviate the sufferings of the zone, assuring the stakeholders of regular consultations and better days are ahead.
Speaking, the Cross River State PDP chairman, Venatius Ikem, Esq, commended Sen. Jarigbe for the bold step taken so far, promising to go back to the State Executive members for further consultations on the next line of action.
In a united front, the stakeholders pledged their support for 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, describing the anticipated mass defection as a strategic realignment to give Cross River North a stronger voice in both state and national politics.
Present at the meeting include Hon. Godwin Offiono, representing Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Chief Austin Edibe; former Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Tom Ogar and Mike Aniah, Esq; Dr. DornKlamz Enamhe, Dr. Paul Ibiala, Hon Peter Ignodor and several other party stalwarts.
Political observers describe this development as a major blow to the PDP in Cross River, especially in the North where the party once held an unshaken grip.
If the planned defection materialises, it could effectively collapse the PDP’s political structure in the zone and strengthen the APC’s dominance as Governor Otu continues to consolidate his influence across the state.
