The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Cross River on Sunday received over 5,000 returnees from the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The event was held at the Government Technical College playground in Ogoja, NAN reports.
It was part of the grand reception for Jarigbe Agom, the Senator representing Cross River North. PDP Chairman, Venatius Ikem, said the return of the former members and entry of new ones will boost the party’s chances ahead of future elections.
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The returnees and the new members were from Ogoja Yala, Obanliku, Obudu and Bekwara. They included former Special Adviser to former Governor Liyel Imoke on Budget, Dr Peter Oti.
“Since the time of former Senate President, Joseph Wayas, Cross River North never witnessed this number of crowd. I say with confidence that Cross River North has never produced a Senator as popular as Jarigbe Agom,” he said.
Senate President Ahmad Lawan named Agom Vice Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs, a fortnight ago. The lawmaker was finally sworn in September after six months of a legal battle.
In July, the Court of Appeal in Calabar declared him the winner of the December 5, 2020, Senatorial bye-election. Hon. Justice Chioma removed Senator Stephen Odey and ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to issue a certificate of return to Agom.
Credible sources affirm that Odey was to concede the position to his ally Governor Ben Ayade in 2023. With his defection to the APC, Ayade is expected to contest for Cross River North Senatorial election on the ruling platform. [DP]
