The Senator representing Cross River North, Agom Jarigbe, has formally defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress.
Jarigbe announced his resignation from the PDP on Wednesday night following a meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
He was led to the meeting by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, alongside Senator Kaila Samaila of Bauchi North, who also declared his defection to the ruling party.
Speaking shortly after the meeting, Senate President Akpabio described the lawmakers’ decision to join the APC as a patriotic move aimed at supporting the president’s reform agenda.
According to him, “They (Jarigbe and Samaila) are Mr President’s children, and they are his supporters. The president is the father of the nation and the father of all political parties.”
Akpabio noted that although both senators were elected on different political platforms, they found it necessary to align with the ruling party in order to contribute to national development under Tinubu’s leadership.
“They joined the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on different political platforms, but as a result of Mr President’s policies that have turned things around economically and particularly in terms of revenue generation for the nation, they found it expedient to come and join to build Nigeria,” he said.
The Senate President added that their defection was driven by patriotism rather than political ambition. “There’s nothing but patriotism. They are not interested in which political party is in power, but they are interested in who can run Nigeria, who can improve Nigeria, and who can put food on the tables of Nigerians,” Akpabio stated.
Addressing journalists after the meeting, Senator Jarigbe explained that his decision to join the APC was inspired by President Tinubu’s performance and commitment to governance.
“Because the president is really doing well, and I want to come in and support him in delivering the dividends of democracy to our people,” Jarigbe said.
His defection further strengthens the APC’s presence in the National Assembly, as the party continues to attract lawmakers from opposition parties who have expressed support for the administration’s policies and national reform efforts.
