By Elijah Ugani
The Senator representation Cross River Northern Senatorial District, Sen Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, has debunked the rumours of his defection from the People’s Democratic Party to the All Progressive Congress.
Sen Jarigbe made the clarification during the town hall meeting with constituents held in Obudu, Bekwarra, Obanliku local government areas.
The lawmaker noted that if Tinubu and Bassey Otu had not stayed in the opposition, they would not have been president and governor today, and so he can not abandon the people and the platform that gave him their support and mandate to represent them.
In his words ‘It is true that there are some issues at the national level. But those issues are going to be resolved. The election is not tomorrow. The election is not next week. It is not next year.
“I don’t want us to distract ourselves with all of that. It’s time for governance. We have no excuse not to deliver. We want you to hold us accountable.
“Party politics is different, but I have to share a few things with you. There are issues surrounding who will be National Secretary and who will not be. But those issues will be resolved. There is nothing like PDP will not be able to file candidates.
“By the grace of God, I will be on the ballot. Nothing is going to stop you for voting for your son and the person you want. I want to correct an impression that I’m moving from this party. I’m not moving.
“If our president, President Tinibu, did not stay in opposition, he will not be president today. If our governor, Prince Otu, did not stay in opposition, he wouldn’t have been governor today. So nobody can come and coerce me and say that I must move to any party.
“In Obanliku, we chose one of your sons and sent him to the national assembly as member of the House of Representatives. Today there are insinuations that he says that there will be no tickets for us on the platform of PDP. Please, there will be tickets for us. If he wants to leave the party, it’s for personal reasons. I am not part of it.
“It wasn’t the name of any party that voted for us. The people that voted for us are seated here. We will go by your decision and not the decision of anybody in Abuja or Calabar”.
The lawmaker explained that it was very necessary for him to interface with the people whose mandate he holds to give account of his stewardship for the period of two years in the 10th assembly, and also to have the opportunity to be accessed by his people. He further charged the people to draw his attention to areas of concern where he needs to focus on in the next two years.
Sen Jarigbe listed projects he facilitated in each of the ten wards of the three Local Government Areas he visited including the electrification of Gakem to Abuochiche, Bekwarra Local Government Area and construction of Amukwong bridge, Alege, Alege/Ubang ward in Obudu Local Government Area which are ongoing.
He used the opportunity to thank his constituents for the support and steadfastness demonstrated and pledged to always put first the interest of his constituents.
Speaking earlier during the town hall meetings held at various locations in Obanliku, Obudu and Bekwarra Local Government Areas, the Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party PDP, Cross River State chapter, Mr Vena Ikem Esq, noted that “Globally, it is a common practice for representatives to hold town hall meetings periodically to enable them meet with their constituents as to get feedback to enable them improve their representation.
“Very recently, I have witnessed where representatives where booed by their constituents on account of their failed representation.
“Please do not hesitate to tell your senator where he has not done well to enable him serve you better. Where he has done well, please don’t forget to commend him as that will definitely encourage him to do more”.
Leaders and stakeholders of the three local governments took turns to commend the uncommon representation of Sen Jarigbe Agom, and noted that they have not had it this easy with any senator since 1999.
In Obanliku, principal among the things mentioned that requires the senator’s attention was the Kakwe road .
In Obudu, the people called on Sen Jarigbe Agom to lobby for federal appointments for the youths, noting that the youths are roaming the streets with qualified certificates with no one in sight to assist them get jobs. They argue that Obudu youths deserve to also occupy positions in Nigerian National Petroleum Cooperation NNPC, Federal Inland Revenue Services and others.
In Bekwarra, the people commended Sen Jarigbe Agom, to have facilitated federal government scholarship for three of their sons who are currently abroad on studies.
They requested the senator to give their youths Jobs and to see to the completion of the electrification project, which worries every Bekwarra person.
The people of Bekwarra assured Sen Jarigbe Agom, of their unflinching support even beyond 2027 and referred to the coercion by the All Progressive Congress to silence other parties as a failed project. They posited that the APC should coerce the prices of commodities in the market to crash so that the common people can live averagely. And that unless that is done, whatever some of the leaders who were given opportunities on the plater of gold, but failed to utilize it, are wasting their time as majority of the Bekwarra people will continue to support the good work Sen Jarigbe is doing.
During the town hall meeting at Bekwarra, the All Progressive Congress Chapter Secretary, Mr Joe Okpen Adams, Ayade’s former aide, Odama Groovydee Abednigo Oga, led hundreds of APC faithfuls to the PDP and cited Sen Jarigbe Agom’s leadership prowess and service to the people as the basis for their defection. They used the opportunity and declared support for the lawmaker and the party.
The were received into the party by the chapter Chairman of the PDP, and encouraged by the state Chairman, Barr Vena Ikem Esq.
Sen Jarigbe Agom commended their bold step to join the PDP and noted that the move was natural and organic as the PDP has nothing to coerce or to use as a tool to lure anyone to join the party.
