By Kammonke Abam
Birthdays hold varied significance depending on the celebrant. Generally, most people use the occasion to express gratitude to God for the gift of life. For some, it is a moment of introspection and future projection. Others seize the opportunity to mark milestones or make deliberate statements.
Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe celebrated his 55th birthday on Tuesday, December 9, 2025. On the surface, the event might appear to be a simple commemoration of a milestone—his 55th. Double five. Indeed, God has been gracious to him. While many of his peers grapple with midlife crises or uncertainty about the latter half of life, Senator Jarigbe has continued to record remarkable breakthroughs in the inherently unpredictable terrain of partisan politics.
However, beneath the façade of celebration lies a deeper layer of meaning. For political watchers, Jarigbe’s 55th birthday may be far more than a personal milestone. They see it as a calculated political statement.
To discerning observers, Jarigbe’s 55th birthday symbolized his arrival into the inner caucus of Nigeria’s political establishment. This was evident in the calibre and diversity of personalities who honoured his invitation—political heavyweights drawn from across party lines and geopolitical zones.
The roll call speaks volumes: the Deputy Senate President, Barau I. Jibrin; the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; the National Chairman of the APC, Nentawe Yilwatda; the Governor of Cross River State, Bassey Otu; former Governors of Cross River State, Donald Duke and Liyel Imoke; former Attorney General of Nigeria and Jarigbe’s constituent, Kanu Agabi SAN, and Jarigbe’s numerous colleagues from the National Assembly, among others.
Perhaps, after Donald Duke and Liyel Imoke, no other politician in the recent history of Cross River State has accumulated such expansive national goodwill cutting across Nigeria’s North, South, East, and West as Jarigbe. What accounts for this? Political sagacity? Strategic networking? Providence? Or simply “na him time be this”? Most likely, it is a convergence of all these factors.
Coming shortly after a presidential visit and a highly symbolic handshake facilitated by the Senate President—days before Jarigbe’s defection to the APC—the birthday celebration underscored a man who understands the art of negotiation and timing. It sent tremors across the political landscape. Those with ears heard. Those unwilling to see chose blindness.
In politics, as in conventional warfare, gladiators deploy different strategies to neutralize opponents. While some resort to crude tactics—thugs and coercion, others, refined and strategic, deploy soft power. Jarigbe belongs to the latter category. Through charisma, attraction, persuasion, and non-coercive influence, he has subtly shaped perceptions and behaviour, discouraging adversaries from escalating confrontation.
What Jarigbe displayed on that Tuesday night was a masterclass in intelligent power play. From the choice of venue—the Hilton Hotel, Abuja—to the carefully curated guest list comprising virtually every political “who’s who” in Abuja (with the notable exception of the President and Vice President), every detail spoke volumes.
Without raising his voice, Jarigbe recalibrated the mental calculus of potential challengers. The celebration communicated his political culture, values, and mastery of public diplomacy. For anyone contemplating a challenge against him, the message was unmistakable: think twice.
That event showcased the depth and breadth of the political alliances he has built since arriving in Abuja. From his youthful activism—mobilizing support for Donald Duke’s second-term bid in 2003 and donating a campaign bus—to his days as a Personal Assistant to Musa Adede; from mentorship under Liyel Imoke to his election to the House of Representatives and eventual rise to the Senate—where he famously defeated an incumbent governor—Jarigbe’s trajectory reflects strategic consistency and political foresight.
Whether deliberate or instinctive, the assemblage of A-list guests was a vivid display of his soft power. It reassured allies of his loyalty while signalling that his network extends from Aso Rock to the grassroots. Simultaneously, it discouraged fence-sitters from aligning with his adversaries. The parade of alliances conveyed a clear message: for now, he is politically formidable and difficult to stop.
The birthday celebration functioned as a deterrent—a subtle yet firm suggestion to rivals to “clear the road” and shelve ambitions, at least temporarily.
What transpired that night was akin to a military parade staged by global superpowers: a demonstration of strength, a morale booster for supporters, an honouring of mentors and allies, and a reinforcement of loyalty and discipline.
In essence, Jarigbe expertly converted his available power resources into influence. By blending subtle intimidation, psychological signalling, and strategic communication, he achieved his objectives without confrontation.
The message was unmistakable: maintaining the status quo is advisable, as any countermeasure would incur costs far outweighing potential gains.
Through the event, he demonstrated: capability, by showcasing tangible resources—Abuja influence, grassroots support, financial muscle, and political war chest; credibility, reflected in the presence of top officials who attended despite packed schedules on a weekday evening; communication, amplified by extensive media coverage, including Arise TV.
The crowning moment was the reverent goodwill message delivered by the Chief of Staff to the President. It was arguably the loudest endorsement possible short of a presidential appearance. To borrow the Chief of Staff’s words: “anyone who disregards Jarigbe does so at their peril.”
Abam, a consummate journalist, publishes www.livesonline.ng
Many thanks to HE( Sen) Imoke and HE Gbajabiamila. They ably captured the story of the man Distinguished Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe. Congratulations and many happy returns to our own God sent Senator. God bless his family, friends, colleagues, supporters, and well wishers.