… Declare Support for President Tinubu, Gov Otu
A major political tremor is shaking the foundation of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Cross River North senatorial district, as influential party stakeholders have signaled their intention to defect en masse to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). This anticipated shift comes in solidarity with Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, who recently formalized his own defection to the ruling party.
Senator Jarigbe, representing Cross River North, took the initial step on October 22, 2025, when he visited Aso Rock Villa to officially inform President Bola Tinubu of his decision. He subsequently met with the Cross River State APC Chairman, Alphonsus Eba, Esq., affirming his readiness to work with the party leadership to reposition the APC in the northern senatorial district.
In a continuation of this strategic consultation, Senator Jarigbe convened a pivotal meeting with top PDP figures from the zone in Abuja on Tuesday at the ROCKVIEW Hotel. Discussions reportedly centered on aligning with what participants termed the “progressive direction” of the state under Governor Bassey Otu and the reform-driven agenda of President Tinubu.
Speaking at the meeting, Senator Jarigbe stated that his move to the APC was to actively assist President Tinubu in repositioning the country for greater heights. He assured the stakeholders that his defection would not diminish his commitment to constituency empowerment and people-oriented projects aimed at alleviating the sufferings of the zone.
The move appears to have strong support from the local PDP hierarchy. The Cross River State PDP chairman, Venatius Ikem, Esq., who was present at the meeting, commended Senator Jarigbe for his “bold step” and pledged to consult with the State Executive members on the next line of action.
In a united declaration, the stakeholders present pledged their support for Governor Otu’s administration and President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. They further disclosed their firm intention to officially join the APC alongside Senator Jarigbe after wider consultations, describing the move as a strategic realignment intended to give Cross River North a stronger voice in both state and national politics.
The gathering included prominent figures such as Hon. Godwin Offiono, representing Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency, Chief Austin Edibe, Prof. Tom Ogar, Mike Aniah, Esq., Dr. DornKlamz Enamhe, Dr. Paul Ibiala, and Hon. Peter Ignodor, among several other party stalwarts.
Political observers view this development as a potentially fatal blow to the PDP’s structure in Cross River North, a zone where the party has historically maintained an unshaken grip. If the planned mass defection materializes, it is expected to effectively collapse the PDP’s political presence and significantly consolidate the APC’s dominance across the state.
