Cross River North Politics Reset As Jarigbe, Odey Reconcile

Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, who represents Cross River North Senatorial District and is seeking re-election to the National Assembly, has reconciled with his former political rival, Senator Prof. Stephen Adi Odey Stephen Adi Odey, who currently serves as Cross River State Commissioner for Education.

Jarigbe, an All Progressives Congress All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, visited Odey at his Okuku residence in what both sides described as a move aimed at strengthening party cohesion and reducing internal tensions ahead of the 2027 political cycle.

He said the reunion was necessary to ensure that both political heavyweights present a united front ahead of key political activities in the constituency and across Cross River State.

An APC stalwart, Mr. Benjamin Anoh, described the meeting as part of ongoing efforts to mend ties and foster closer collaboration between the two politicians, adding that the gesture signals willingness to put past differences aside for the sake of party unity.

In a statement, St. Augustine Adula, media aide to Senator Stephen Odey, said the two leaders held a “heartfelt, closed-door meeting” focused on unity and renewed collaboration.

He added that discussions between the former political rivals centered on strengthening coordination for the benefit of the district and the state more broadly.

Adula said the development is “widely seen as a positive and timely step” for the APC in the region, noting that it is expected to reinforce unity among stakeholders and reduce internal friction that could distract governance priorities.

He further described the meeting as “warm and candid,” allowing both men to engage in “sincere, heart-to-heart reconciliatory talks.”

According to him, the private setting gave both politicians the opportunity to speak frankly about past differences and chart a path forward, adding that the renewed collaboration would strengthen the collective resolve for the growth of the APC in Cross River State.

He said the coordinated approach would also improve delivery on constituency projects and effective representation.

The reconciliation ends a long-standing political rift dating back to 2015, when Odey briefly served in the Senate following his election. Jarigbe, then in the House of Representatives, challenged the result in court, a case that eventually led to the nullification of the election and his emergence as senator.

The two politicians had minimal contact afterward until Jarigbe’s recent alignment with the APC, Odey’s party, in what observers describe as a key political reset in Cross River North ahead of 2027.