Dare Babalola
The re-election of Venatius Ikem as the state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) has received a boost as 18 local government area chairmen threw their weight behind him.
This was made known on Wednesday at a news conference after the chairpersons met in Calabar, the state capital.
Speaking to newsmen, the chairman of the chapter, Odidi Achom, expressed confidence in Ikem’s leadership.
The group commended Ikem for his display of an uncommon level of leadership that has steered the party’s affairs in the state credibly, even as an opposition, while noting that he would ensure stability in the Cross Rivers PDP.
“We are aware of the various interests that have been shown by different blocs on the issue of chairmanship of the party in Cross River, but for us, we are in full support of Ikem’s continuity.
“Firstly, he is competent and has done very well since he assumed leadership of the party about four years ago, and we are in full support of him continuing with the job.
“Our meeting today is to put the house in order before the Sept. 27 congress. We consulted widely and arrived at the decision that he (Ikem) should continue. We have found him worthy and transparent, and also wish to ensure stability and unity in our party ahead of the 2027 general elections,’’ he said.
On his part, the secretary of the chairpersons, Obia Ikika, said that they have enjoyed a good working relationship with Ikem and wish to continue in that stead.
“We understand that there is a contest, but we are not taking them for granted. All we are doing is to avoid rancour in the party. So, we aligned ourselves with the decision taken by the caucus leadership of the party as regards the continuity of the present State Working Committee led by Venatius Ikem,’’ he said.
The caucus of state leadership of the PDP had made the decision for the Ikem-led SWC to continue in office for another term.
However, some leadership in the southern and central senatorial districts of the state had, at different meetings, opposed the decision of the state leaders.
The congress to enthrone the new leadership of the party at the state level had been scheduled for September 27.
