The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Cross River State has stated that the faction loyal to the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, will not produce the next state chairman of the party. This decision was reached by the Cross River South Senatorial District of the party during a caucus meeting held in Calabar on Wednesday.
According to Mr. Asuquo Ekpo, the state’s vice chairman of the PDP, the meeting was convened to discuss pressing political developments affecting the senatorial district and the state at large. The party condemned the resolution of the meeting by the faction loyal to Wike, held in Abuja, which called for the extension of the tenure of the incumbent chairman of the party in the state.
The Venatius Ikem-led leadership of the state executive has been criticized for being riddled with conflict and divisive tendencies. The caucus reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring an all-inclusive and rancor-free state congress scheduled for September 27. The meeting adopted the existing state party offices allocated to the southern senatorial district, in line with the national template and resolution of the Cross River special stakeholders meeting.
The caucus resolved to present a united front at the forthcoming state congress, recalling the unfortunate experiences of 2023 when the party lost in the South. The caucus directed all local government areas in the district to consult widely and put forward their most competent representatives for the September 27 congress. The caucus also reaffirmed its commitment to engaging with different local government areas to accommodate or realign the zoning as circumstances may require.
The caucus commended the National Woman Leader, Mrs. Amina Bryhm, for her bold and decisive steps to ensure stability of the PDP in the state. The move is seen as a significant step towards promoting unity and cohesion within the party ahead of the state congress. With the state congress scheduled to take place later this month, the party is gearing up to elect new leaders and chart a new course for the future. The outcome of the congress is expected to have significant implications for the party’s prospects in the state.
