By Nsan Ndoma-Neji, Calabar
As a prelude to make the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, cohesive and united ahead of the 2027 general elections, former political arch-foes, Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe and Senator Prof. Stephen Odey, the incumbent Cross River State Commissioner for Education, have reconciled in a move that signals a reset in Cross River North politics ahead of 2027.
Both political heavy weights of Cross River North senatorial zone, Jarigbe and Odey, who after many years of court room battle have finally embraced a truce and agreed to bury the hatchet of the hatred that both men developed for each other after the 2015 elections.
Jarigbe, who currently represents Cross River North senatorial district at the upper chamber of the National Assembly and is seeking re-election for a second term, met with Odey, the current Cross River State Education Commissioner.
Both men are chieftains of the All Progressives Congress.
Jarigbe stressed that the visit to Odey’s Okuku residence was intended to strengthen party cohesion.
He maintained 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.
An APC stalwart, Mr. Benjamin Anoh, described the meeting as part of ongoing efforts to mend ties and foster closer collaboration between the two lawmakers.
Anoh said, “The gesture signaled a willingness to put past differences aside for the sake of the party.”
In a statement, the media aide to Senator Odey, St. Augustine Adula, said that the two leaders held a “heartfelt, closed-door meeting that was focused on unity and renewed collaboration.”
He added that “discussions by the two former political rivals were centered on strengthening coordination for the benefit of the district and the state more broadly.”
Adula noted that the development is “widely seen as a positive and timely step for the APC in the region,” adding that “it is expected to reinforce unity among party stakeholders and reduce internal friction that could distract governance priorities.”
He described the meeting itself as “warm and candid.”
He maintained that the private setting gave both men the chance for “sincere, heart-to-heart reconciliatory talks” about past differences and a path forward.
He said the renewed collaboration would “strengthen the collective resolve for the growth and progress of the APC in Cross River,” and improve delivery on constituency projects and representation.
The reconciliation ends a long-standing rift, dating back to 2015. That year, Odey won the Cross River North senatorial seat and served for eight months before Jarigbe, then in the House of Representatives, challenged the result in court.
The court nullified the election and awarded the seat to Jarigbe. Contact between the two remained minimal until Jarigbe defected to the APC, Odey’s party, months ago.
