Senator representing Cross River North Senatorial District, Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe has formally defected from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP to the All Progressives Congress, APC, thus shooting the number of the lawmakers in the red chamber of the ruling party to 76.
Configuration of the Senate across political parties after defection of Senator Jarigbe on Tuesday shows APC senators with 76 seats, PDP 25, Labour Party, LP 4; All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA 2; Social Democratic Party, SDP 1 and the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP 1, totalling 109
Senator Jarigbe, in a letter addressed to the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and read during plenary by his deputy, Senator Jibrin Barau, who presided, said he left his former party due internal divisions and unending crisis among members at both state and national levels.
“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,” the lawmaker stated.
Senator Jarigbe explained that he decided to join the ruling party in the best interest of his constituents so that they could be fully part of the good work of President Bola Tinubu
He said: “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.”
Other two senators from Cross River State, Eteng Williams (Cross River Central) and Asuquo Ekpenyong (Cross River South), were elected on the platform of the APC.