Senator Agom Jarigbe, who represents the Cross River North Senatorial District in the National Assembly, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The move marks a dramatic turnaround for Jarigbe, who had, as recently as June, reaffirmed his loyalty to the PDP and dismissed rumours of his impending defection.
According to a report by the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Senator Jarigbe’s defection was formalised during a closed-door meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Tuesday, October 21, 2025.
He was accompanied by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and received by President Tinubu alongside Senator Kaila Samaila Dahuwa of Bauchi North, who also joined the APC.
Jarigbe’s decision has generated mixed reactions across Cross River State, with some of his supporters expressing shock and disappointment. Political observers have described the development as a major setback for the PDP in the region.
Reports from CrossRiverWatch suggest that the senator’s defection may have been driven by strategic political considerations, as many view it as an attempt to align with the Tinubu administration’s “Renewed Hope” agenda, which focuses on economic reform and national development.
In a video shared online by political commentator Imran Muhammad, Senator Jarigbe explained his decision, saying, “I joined the APC because President Tinubu is doing well, and I want to come in and support him.”
Meanwhile, the senator’s defection has reignited debates about the growing number of opposition figures joining the ruling party. Critics warn that the trend could push Nigeria toward a one-party system.
However, the APC has dismissed such concerns, urging opposition parties to address their internal issues instead of making what it called “baseless accusations.”
The meeting at the Villa, led by Senate President Akpabio, officially marked Jarigbe and Dahuwa’s entry into the APC, a move seen by many as another political victory for the ruling party ahead of future elections.
