Senator Agom Jarigbe of Cross River North defects from PDP to APC, citing internal party divisions and seeking a stable platform for constituents

Senator Agom Jarigbe, representing Cross River North Senatorial District, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), notifying the Senate through a formal letter.

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As reported on NASSTV on Tuesday, the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, read Jarigbe’s resignation, in which the senator cited deep-seated internal divisions within the PDP as his reason for leaving.

“I rise to formally notify you and the distinguished leadership of the Senate of my resignation from the People’s Democratic Party on whose platform I was elected to represent the good people of Cross River North Senatorial District,” Jarigbe stated.

“The decision has been taken after a deep and thoughtful reflection on the current state of my former party. It is a 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, as a primary reason for my departure.”

Jarigbe emphasized that the APC offers a more stable and progressive platform to serve his constituents effectively.

“In light of the foregoing, and in the best interests of my constituents, I have decided to join the ranks of the All Progressives Congress. I believe that the APC, under the leadership of our President, His Excellency Bola Tinubu, provides the stable and progressive platform necessary to deliver on the mandate and democratic dividends expected by the people of Cross River North,” he added.

Senate members applauded Jarigbe’s decision, with Deputy Senate President Jibrin welcoming him to the new party.

The defection occurs amid renewed turmoil within the PDP, which has been split into two warring factions following a leadership tussle in its National Working Committee. Each faction has suspended the other, escalating hostilities.

The crisis escalated after a Federal High Court in Abuja halted the party’s planned national convention scheduled for November 15–16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.

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The split largely pits loyalists of Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum against supporters of Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, deepening divisions within the opposition party.