The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Cross River State has made it clear that the faction loyal to FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, will not determine who becomes the party’s next state chairman. This was the outcome of a caucus meeting held on Wednesday by the Cross River South Senatorial District of the party in Calabar.
Speaking after the meeting, the state’s PDP vice chairman, Mr Asuquo Ekpo, said the gathering was convened to deliberate on pressing political matters affecting both the senatorial district and the state. He stressed that the caucus rejected the Abuja resolution by Wike’s loyalists, which sought to extend the tenure of the current chairman, Venatius Ikem.
Ekpo noted that Ikem’s leadership had been plagued by internal conflicts and division, making it necessary for the party to chart a new path. He assured that the caucus was committed to ensuring an inclusive and rancour-free state congress scheduled for September 27.
The caucus adopted the existing zoning arrangement that allocates the state party chairman’s office to the southern senatorial district. They also directed all local government areas in the zone to consult widely and present their most competent candidates for the forthcoming congress.
Looking back at the party’s poor outing in 2023, the caucus vowed to unite and present a formidable front this time. They also commended the PDP’s National Woman Leader, Mrs Amina Bryhm, for her efforts to stabilise the party in Cross River State.
