Jarigbe meets PDP leaders, says defection to APC is to support Tinubu’s reforms

Jarigbe Jarigbe, senator representing Cross River north, has told top leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from his senatorial district that his defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) is to support President Bola Tinubu’s reform-driven agenda.

The senator spoke when he met with the PDP leaders in Abuja on Tuesday.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, John Agom, media aide to the lawmaker, said the meeting was part of Jarigbe’s ongoing consultations following his visit to Aso Rock on October 22, where he officially informed the president of his defection.

He told party stakeholders that his defection into the ruling party was not about personal ambition but a strategic decision to align with national progress.

“My people should be assured that defecting to the ruling party will not stop me from empowering the constituents and embarking on people-orientated projects to alleviate the sufferings of the zone,” Jarigbe said.

“I must also assure all the stakeholders that our regular consultations will not stop. There are better days ahead.”

According to the statement, discussions at the Abuja meeting focused on aligning with what the PDP leaders described as the “progressive direction” of the state under Bassey Otu, the governor, and the “reform-driven agenda” of President Bola Tinubu.

Venatius Ikem, chairman of the PDP in Cross River, commended Jarigbe for his “bold step,”, noting that he would return to the state executive members for further consultations.

The party leaders pledged their support for Otu’s administration and Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda while disclosing their intention to officially join the APC alongside Jarigbe after wider consultations.

Those present at the meeting included Godwin Offiono, a member representing the Ogoja/Yala federal constituency; Austin Edibe, a former secretary to the state government; Tom Ogar, Mike Aniah, DornKlamz Enamhe, Paul Ibiala, Peter Ignodor, and other party stalwarts.

Jarigbe also met with Alphonsus Eba, chairman of the APC in Cross River, and declared his readiness to work with the party’s leadership in repositioning it in the senatorial district.