Senator Agom Jarigbe of Cross River North has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), further consolidating the ruling party’s control of the Senate. His defection was formally announced during November 11th Tuesday’s plenary session, marking another major political realignment in the lead-up to the 2027 general elections.
The defection reflects growing discontent within the opposition party and deepens internal rifts that have weakened its influence in both chambers of the National Assembly. Jarigbe’s switch is expected to tilt the balance of legislative support towards the APC, enabling smoother passage of executive bills and a tighter grip on committee leaderships.
Political observers interpret his move as part of a wider wave of defections spurred by strategic calculations, personal ambitions, and shifting regional loyalties. Within Cross River politics, the development is viewed as strengthening the APC’s presence in a region that has been a key PDP base since 1999. Party insiders suggest more defections may follow in the coming months as lawmakers position themselves for relevance under the Tinubu administration.
