About 5,000 All Progressive Congress have dumped the party and defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Cross River.

The new defectors were given a welcoming party on Sunday at the Government Technical College playground in Ogoja.

PDP received the huge followership to double its grand reception for Jarigbe Agom, the Senator representing Cross River North.

Speaking at the event, 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.

The returnees and the new members were from Ogoja Yala, Obanliku, Obudu and Bekwara, Naija News understands.

They included former Special Adviser to former Governor Liyel Imoke on Budget, Dr Peter Oti.

Ikem said: “Since the time of former Senate President, Joseph Ways, 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.”

It could be recalled that Senate President Ahmad Lawan had 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.

This was after the Court of Appeal in Calabar declared him in July as 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.

Reports had it 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.

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