He previously served in the House of Representatives representing the Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency. Jarigbe was elected to the House of Representatives in 2015 under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and served two terms.

In 2020, he won the Cross River North Senatorial by-election. The result was initially disputed, but in July 2021, the Supreme Court of Nigeria declared him the duly elected senator. He was sworn in on September 15, 2021.

He was reelected in the 2023 general elections under the PDP.

In October 2025, Jarigbe defected from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In 2025, Jarigbe facilitated several constituency development projects across Cross River North, including the installation of solar-powered boreholes and water supply schemes in rural communities.

He also initiated educational support programmes, including bursary awards to students across multiple tertiary institutions in the district.

In 2026, he signaled interest in seeking reelection ahead of the next electoral cycle. Jarigbe is married to Offiong Jarigbe and has four children.

Party Positions

Policy positions from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) party manifesto.

Education

Ensure free education up to Junior Secondary School (JSS1) level and commit to revamping tertiary education.

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Healthcare

Provide free medical services for pregnant women and children under five years, rehabilitate health facilities in each LGA, and support local production of essential drugs.

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Infrastructure

Accelerate the completion of key rail projects, including standard gauge rail lines between Lagos and Kano (Phase 1) and Port Harcourt to Jos (Phase 2), by privatizing or concessioning the Nigerian Railway Corporation to private operators.

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Security & Defense

PDP plans to refine recruitment methods, retrain personnel, improve logistics, and strengthen early warning systems for police reform.

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Anti-corruption

PDP commits to strengthening anti-corruption institutions (EFCC & ICPC) and enforcing transparency reforms, including asset declaration laws and removal of immunity clauses for public officials.

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Energy

PDP pledges to eliminate gas flaring, enforce air pollution regulations, complete deregulation of downstream petroleum sector, and lay gas pipelines nationwide for industrial use.

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Environment & Climate

Commits to reclaiming and rehabilitating land devastated by desertification and soil erosion through afforestation in affected areas.

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Technology & Digital

Will establish internet/computer learning centers in all LGAs, provide computers for secondary schools, and enforce local content policy for telecom equipment.

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