Clean Sweep For CRS APC As Senator Jarigbe Dumps PDP For The Party

By Akinwale Kasali

The All Progressives Congress, APC, has increased the number of its Senators to 76. This is a product of the defection of Senator Jarigbe Jarigbe, representing Cross River North Senatorial District from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the All Progressives Congress, APC.

In a letter written to the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and read at plenary on Tuesday by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Jibrin Barau, Senator Jarigbe cited the unending crisis in the PDP as the major reason for his defection.

He explained that his exit from the PDP followed months of internal crises and irreconcilable divisions that had crippled the party both at the national and state levels.

Jarigbe said, “I rise to formally notify you and the distinguished leadership of the Senate of my

resignation from the Peoples

Democratic Party, on whose platform I was elected to represent the good people of Cross River North Senatorial District.

“The decision came after deep and thoughtful reflection on the current state of my former party.

“It is with regret that I note the persistent and deep-seated divisions and the deliberate factionalisation at both the national and state levels as the primary reasons for my departure.”

Jarigbe noted that he decided to align with the ruling party to continue delivering effective representation to his constituents, said, “In the light of the foregoing, and in the best interest of my constituents, I have chosen to join the All Progressives Congress.

“I believe that under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu and the steady guidance of the National Assembly, the APC provides a stable and progressive platform to deliver the democratic dividends expected by the people of Cross River North.”

Barau welcomed Jarigbe into the party, saying, “You are most welcome. Please welcome him,” as APC Senators applauded.

With Jarigbe’s defection , all the Senators in Cross River State that include Eteng Williams (Cross River Central) and Asuquo Ekpenyong (Cross River South), have now defected to the APC.

The configuration of Senators in the Senate across political parties is now as follow: APC 76; PDP 25; Labour Party, LP 4; All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA 2; New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP 1; and Social Democratic Party, SDP 1, totaling 109.