In Preparation for his formal defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the Senator representing Cross River North Senatorial District, Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, has begun wide consultations with key political stakeholders across the district.
The consultations, which began earlier in the week, are aimed at harmonising interests, fostering understanding, and giving stakeholders a strong sense of belonging as Senator Jarigbe prepares to officially join the APC, the largest political party in Africa.
During the visits, Senator Jarigbe, accompanied by an APC stalwart, Hon. Dr Gabriel Oluohu Bravo, JP, met with several prominent northern leaders in their Abuja residences in a show of humility and respect. Among those visited were Ntufam High Chief Peter Ojie, Chief Fidelis Ugbo, Chief Wabilly Nyam, High Chief Thomas Udam, and Rt. Hon. Gabe Edi.
It will be recalled that Senator Jarigbe had earlier this week formally announced his defection from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC on the floor of the Senate.
As a mark of respect, the Senator had already informed the leader of the party in the state, His Excellency, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, as well as the State Chairman of the APC, Pol. Evg. Alphonsus Ogar Eba, Esq., JP, about his decision. He noted that his move to the ruling party is to support the re-election efforts of both President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Otu, while also strengthening the APC’s dominance across the nation.
Speaking to State House correspondents after visiting President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Senator Jarigbe said his decision to join the APC is driven by his desire to support the President’s developmental agenda and to contribute meaningfully to his administration’s success.
“My coming into the APC is to support the good work President Tinubu is doing for Nigerians,” the Senator stated.
Sources close to the Senator confirmed that his consultations are still ongoing and will continue across all wards and chapters in the district. His goal, they said, is to ensure inclusiveness and unity among political actors ahead of his official declaration.
During his separate engagements with stakeholders, Senator Jarigbe reaffirmed his commitment to the people of Cross River North, pledging to work with renewed vigour, vision, and dedication towards uniting all interests for the collective growth and empowerment of the district, the state, and Nigeria at large.
When he visited the APC State Chairman in Abuja, Senator Jarigbe expressed appreciation for the warm reception and reaffirmed his intention to strengthen the party in the North Senatorial District.
Responding, the State Chairman, Pol. Evg. Alphonsus Ogar Eba, confirmed the Senator’s visit and disclosed that he encouraged him to continue wide consultations with the party leadership and other critical stakeholders at all levels.
“I advised him to engage widely with our leaders and stakeholders across wards, chapters, and the state to build a united front anchored on our party’s core values of Peace, Love, Unity, and Growth (PLUG),” Eba said.
The Chairman further urged party members to be cautious with public statements and to avoid comments that could breed disunity within the ranks of the APC.
With the consultations gaining momentum, political observers believe that Senator Jarigbe’s eventual defection will further solidify APC’s grip on Cross River North and potentially mark the collapse and annihilation of PDP’s influence in the zone, as his supporters described him as a movement and the only major opposition in the district.
