Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress, raising the ruling party’s strength in the Senate to 76 members.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has increased its representation in the National Assembly to 76 senators following the defection of Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, who represents Cross River North, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
According to a report from LEADERSHIP NEWS, Jarigbe officially announced his move to the ruling party during Tuesday’s plenary session, where his defection letter was read by Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, who presided over the sitting.
Explaining his decision, Jarigbe cited “divisions within the PDP” as the reason for leaving the opposition party, noting that the internal crisis had made it difficult to function effectively. “It is with profound regret that I cite the prevailing deep-seated and irreconcilable differences, as well as the persistent and deliberate factions within the party at both the national and state levels,” he wrote.
With his defection, the PDP now controls 25 Senate seats, while the Labour Party holds 4, APGA 2, SDP 1, and NNPP 1, making up the 109-member Senate.
Jarigbe added that the APC offered “a stable and progressive platform” under President Bola Tinubu’s leadership.
His defection means all three senatorial seats in Cross River State are now held by the APC, strengthening the party’s dominance in the region.