Cross River PDP re-elects Venatius Ikem as chair after conflicting NWC directives

The Cross River chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has re-elected Venatius Ikem as its chairman.

Ikem was re-elected on Saturday during the state congress at the Venetian arena, Calabar, the state capital.

The PDP members also elected 38 individuals into the state executive committee.

Jones Chukwudi, chairman of the electoral panel and returning officer, said Ikem polled 1,541 votes.

Speaking after the election, Ikem said he will prioritise rebuilding the party structures.

“With all the experiences we have gathered and the humility conferred on us today, we pledge to do much better,” he said.

“Moving forward, we are going to challenge some of the issues that bedevilled our last expedition and begin the process of rebuilding to put our house together.”

Sandy Onor, the party’s former gubernatorial candidate, said the election was fair and credible.

“All the necessary ingredients for the conduct of elections were present here today,” he said.

“We had a full house of delegates, a proper panel duly certified by the national working committee (NWC), statutory institutions in compliance with the electoral guidelines, and everything was done with accountability and transparency.

“We are glad. You can see that the PDP still has a huge momentum in our state, and the future is beautiful and promising.”

Jarigbe Jarigbe, senator representing Cross River north senatorial district, said the election “followed due processes” and electoral guidelines for congresses.

“The way forward is for us to work together to achieve success in 2027; this would be made easier as soon as the Exco initiates proper reconciliation processes and works as a team,” Jarigbe said.

The election was reportedly monitored by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), led by Johnson Sinikem, the resident commissioner, and security agency personnel.

Efiok Cobham, former deputy governor of Cross River state; Arthur Archibong, former gubernatorial aspirant; Godwin Offiono, member representing Ogoja/Yala federal constituency, among others, attended the congress.

THE CONTROVERSY

The PDP had scheduled September 27 to conduct congresses in Cross River, Plateau, and Kebbi.

But in a letter dated September 25, Umar Damagum, PDP national chairman, announced the postponement of the congresses scheduled for September 27.

Damagum cited “unforeseen circumstances and operational logistic challenges” as the reason for the postponement. He said a new date would be communicated to the INEC.

However, in another letter dated September 26, Samuel Anyanwu, PDP national secretary, insisted the congresses would go ahead as initially planned.

Anyanwu said any communication with INEC must have the signatures of the national secretary and the national chairperson.

“The congresses in the three states shall hold as earlier scheduled,” he said.

“The commission should not honour any communication without the joint signatures of the national secretary and the national chairman.”

The PDP has been grappling with internal divisions, though its leaders insist the differences have been resolved.