ABUJA – SENATOR Jarigbe Jarigbe, Cross River North, has dumped his Party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Senator Jarigbe in a letter written to the President of the Senate , Godswill Akpabio and read in plenary on Tuesday by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Jibrin Barau cited unending crisis in 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,” Jarigbe wrote.

“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 who 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.”

Consequently, Barau welcomed Jarigbe into the party, saying, “You are most welcome. Please welcome him,” as senators across party lines applauded.

Jarigbe’s defection further strengthens the APC’s hold on Cross River State, where all three Senatorial seats are now occupied by members of the ruling party.

The other two Senators from the State are Eteng Williams (Cross River Central) and Asuquo Ekpenyong (Cross River South).

With this development, configuration of Senators in the Senate now across political parties are 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 , totalling 109 .