Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, representing the Cross River North Senatorial District and seeking re-election to the National Assembly, has reconciled with his former political rival, the Cross River State Commissioner for Education, Senator Prof. Stephen Adi Odey.
Senator Jarigbe paid a visit to Senator Odey at his Okuku residence, describing the reunion as aimed at strengthening party cohesion. He explained that it was important for both political heavyweights to present a united front ahead of key political activities in the constituency and across the state.
In a statement, the media aide to Senator Odey described the meeting as a "heartfelt, closed-door meeting that was focused on unity and renewed collaboration," adding that discussions by the former political rivals centred on strengthening coordination for the benefit of the district and the state more broadly.
The development was described as a positive and timely step for the APC in the region, expected to reinforce unity among party stakeholders and reduce internal friction that could distract governance priorities.
The reconciliation ends a long-standing rift dating back to 2015, when Senator Odey won the Cross River North Senatorial seat and served for eight months before the court nullified the election and awarded the seat to Jarigbe, then a member of the House of Representatives. The two had little contact until Senator Jarigbe defected to the APC, Odey’s party, in October 2025.
